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PICS: FIFPro World XIs show the changing face of football over the last decade

Published 13:43 11 Jan 2016 GMT

Tom Victor
PICS: FIFPro World XIs show the changing face of football over the last decade

Homesport

Remember when the Premier League was known for defensive solidity? Or when Dida and Iker Casillas weren't laughing stocks?

Amazingly, it's not all that long ago - and the last few years of FIFPro World XIs show just how much has changed over a short space of time. The organisation, which looks after the rights of professional footballers, has published its team of the year every season since 2004/05. Here are some highlights.

Only five members of the first World XI are still playing, and three have already gone into management

https://twitter.com/FIFPro/status/686488147992145920

In 2008/09 the Premier League was king, with six representatives (Evra, Gerrard, Ronaldo, Terry, Torres and Vidic)

https://twitter.com/FIFPro/status/686518449930125312

And it might be surprising when you watch him now, but Wayne Rooney took his place among the world's best as recently as 2011.

https://twitter.com/FIFPro/status/686533698737549312 Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo jointly hold the record for most appearances in the XI, with this year marking the ninth time the pair have been included. The 2014/15 team will be presented at the Ballon d'Or gala, and with Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar nominated for the big one we can at least predict the front three.

Explore more on these topics:

Cristiano Ronaldo

FIFPro World XI

Lionel Messi

Wayne Rooney

PICS: FIFPro World XIs show the changing face of football over the last decade