It’s 47days to the 2014 edition of the Ballon d’Or awards, FIFA has unveiled the 20 defenders shortlisted for the FIFPro World XI 2014 ahead of the prestigious sporting event.

Real Madrid leads the pack with 5 nominations, followed by Barcelona and Bayern Munich with 4 and 3 nominations respectively. The winner will be announced on January 12, 2015 at Zurich.

Shortlisted defenders

(1) David Alaba (Austria / FC Bayern München)

(2) Jordi Alba (Spain / FC Barcelona)

(3) Dani Alves (Brazil / FC Barcelona)

(4) Jerome Boateng (Germany / FC Bayern München)

(5) Daniel Carvajal (Spain / Real Madrid CF)

(6) David Luiz (Brazil / Paris St-Germain FC)

(7) Filipe Luis (Brazil / Chelsea FC)

(8) Diego Godin (Uruguay / Atlético Madrid)

(9) Mats Hummels (Germany / Borussia Dortmund)

(10) Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia / Chelsea FC)

(11) Vincent Kompany (Belgium / Manchester City FC)

(12) Philipp Lahm (Germany / FC Bayern München)

(13) Marcelo (Brazil / Real Madrid CF)

(14)Javier Mascherano (Argentina / FC Barcelona)

(15) Pepe (Portugal / Real Madrid CF)

(16) Gerard Pique (Spain / FC Barcelona)

(17) Sergio Ramos (Spain / Real Madrid CF)

(18) Thiago Silva (Brazil / Paris St-Germain FC)

(19) Raphael Varane (France / Real Madrid CF)

(20) Pablo Zabaleta (Argentina / Manchester City FC).

Photocredit: FIFA