Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is the only English player named on the 55-man shortlist for the Fifa FIFPro team of the year.
Vardy, 29, is included after scoring 24 goals to help the Foxes win the Premier League last season.
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is overlooked for the first time in the competition’s 12-year history.
Wales and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale makes the list for a second consecutive year.
Bale’s Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon are included, making them the only ever-presents for an award based on votes from professional players from 75 countries.
In total, 16 Premier League players are on the list, including Vardy’s former Leicester team-mate N’Golo Kante, now at Chelsea, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Dimitri Payet of West Ham and Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin.
Barcelona have the most players represented, with 12 – two more than rivals Real Madrid.
The World XI will be announced in January.
