Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich in running to make FIFA FIFPRO World XI
Bayern Munich pair Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich have been rewarded for their impressive form by making the shortlist for the 2019 FIFA FIFPRO World 11.
Kimmich and Lewandowski have been recognised by their peers for their displays in 2018/19, with more than 23,000 professional footballers worldwide voting to select their team of the season.
A 55-man shortlist was unveiled on Thursday, with the definitive World 11 set to be unveiled on 23 September at the Best Football Awards in Milan.
Versatile Bayern full-back Kimmich, 24, enjoyed another outstanding campaign in 2018/19, recording two goals and 14 assists as his side won the Bundesliga for the seventh season in a row.
The former RB Leipzig player, who can also play in central midfield, lifted the DFB Cup as well, and helped Germany win three games from three at the start of their UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
Another reason Bayern won the league and cup double, of course, was the consistency of star striker Lewandowski, who scored a whopping 40 goals across all competitions in 2018/19.
He started with a hat-trick in a DFL Supercup success against Eintracht Frankfurt, and then netted 22 times in the Bundesliga to top the league scoring charts for the fourth time in his career – and third time in the past four seasons.
The 31-year-old Poland international also got seven goals in the DFB Cup – including two in the 3-0 victory over Leipzig in the final – as well as eight in as many matches in last season’s UEFA Champions League.
Fellow professionals throughout the world were asked to select one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards, with the 11 players who receive the most votes earning a position on the World 11.
Kimmich is one of 20 defenders on the shortlist, while Lewandowski is one of 15 forwards. They are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Bayern and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who made the final team in 2016.
Watch: Check out what makes Lewandowski so dangerous
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