Fans are left in shock with the surprise inclusions of Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Manchester City star Kyle Walker in the L'Equipe 2022 team of the year.
L'Equipe - France's biggest but famously harsh football newspaper - have named their ultimate XI from the year of 2022 that includes plenty of stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibault Courtois is named in between the sticks while the back four is made up of Walker, van Dijk, RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol and AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez.
Real Madrid and Croatia star Luka Modric and Manchester United's Casemiro are paired in the centre of midfield.
PSG star Messi, who scored twice and also converted a penalty in the shoot-out to fulfil his destiny of winning the World Cup at the age of 35, and City midfield ace Kevin De Bruyne are deployed out wide on the flanks to make up a midfield four.
France and PSG forward Mbappe and Los Blancos star Benzema, unsurprisingly make up the forward line to complete the 2022 team of the year.
Mbappe cemented his place in the team with his fine performances as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including a hat-trick in France's heartbreaking defeat in a penalty shoot-out to Argentina - not forgetting also winning the tournament's Golden Boot.
Fans, however, have flocked to social media to criticise the Dutchman being included in the star studded line-up.
One fan posted: 'VVD been sub par for his standards, hasn't even been best CB in the Prem. Kind of applies to Walker too, though James hasn't played as much due to injury, I'd just put Cancelo there even if he plays LB more.
Another tweeted: 'Van Dijk, even though he's my favourite player, does not belong on this team.
A third said:Β 'Must be a different Van Dijk. While another replied: 'Must be a different Walker.'
One supporter chimed in, by saying: 'Van Dijk? Stop the cap. As a fan even I know he's not been up to standard.
Another replied: 'Yeah, he shouldn't be there.'
One fan was also amused that Gvardiol was also included, by tweeting: 'Gvardiol lmao, maybe watch more than the World Cup.'
Van Dijk and Walker have struggled so far this campaign, therefore were surprise inclusions, especially given that they didn't make the team of the year for 2021.
The duo have replaced the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ruben Dias and Marquinhos in the defensive line.
Only three stars have remained in the XI from last year, including Hernandez, De Bruyne and Benzema with Messi and Mbappe as arguably very shock omissions last time round.
Beocemopsy
0
wewdlstyz
1
WORLD BEST DEFENDER no one come close to hin
NCKopites30
2
VVD πππππ
chinelson
1
I really don't know if the 7 matches played in the world cup makes it a year in 2022? You are entitled to ur opinion so am I.
Cyriacus_Kakira
0
Remove walker, put HAKIMI. Remove Benzema, put Haaland. Another possibility to remove Theo.
Benzema was only good in the first half of this calendar year. Haaland has been good throughout the year.
MikaelGuerrero
0
Amrabat should be there instead of Casemiro
bro this is not for world cup it for last season π€‘
AndreSmart
0
Another madman on the rant VVD took his team to 4 finals last season that's when they started counting how many did Ruben Dias and your Marquinhos witness?
took what? Liverpool conceded a lot of goals last season, Stop disrespecting Salah & Mane's brilliance please.
Atharsh
0
There must be big name in the defence
Atharsh
0
Remove walker, put HAKIMI. Remove Benzema, put Haaland. Another possibility to remove Theo.
Remove Benzema? Hahahahaha
Yuzopstz
0
Van Dijk doesn't deserve a place in this lineup.. He's been a flop. π€¦
AbdulRahimMubarak
0
Remove walker, put HAKIMI. Remove Benzema, put Haaland. Another possibility to remove Theo.
Jealousy hypocrite
Cyriacus_Kakira
4
Remove walker, put HAKIMI. Remove Benzema, put Haaland. Another possibility to remove Theo.
FlyingDoc
3
What has Keita done in 3 Seasons. We only hear of his potential. let him go The truth has been said πππ€
Footballislife0811
0
Lol in a worldcup year they put courtois there π€£ dumb fools where Is Martinez, Romero, cancelo, acuna, stones, etc
Vetabciktu
5
Best in the world π₯
Dixonmande
0
where z our Goat?? π€£π€£ππ
Kenn2210
0
They are telling us this team of the year is mostly based on 7 games at the World Cup π€π€π€πππ
Exactly
MynewId
2
Amrabat should be there instead of Casemiro
Jentle18
1
They are telling us this team of the year is mostly based on 7 games at the World Cup π€π€π€πππ
TheRyttteddevil
0
Even Otamendi is better than VVD
TheRyttteddevil
0
Mhhh, Alfonso Davis not in the team?
DieHardMadridFan
0
if you know football very well you know that vvd changed defense mentality.is like comparing c.ronaldo to Messi same thing with comparing rudiger with vvd
I think you're on expired dry weed
Frankaayβ’
0
Why is Kareem Benzema is there? What about Haaland and Lewandowski? Ruben Dias and Marquinhos are still far better than Van Dijk and Gvaldiol.
Another madman on the rant VVD took his team to 4 finals last season that's when they started counting how many did Ruben Dias and your Marquinhos witness?
Frankaayβ’
4
Hang yourself then VVD has set the standard for defending his on a class of his own and just like Salah he's a victim of his own success.
Kehabcelmz
1
if you know football very well you know that vvd changed defense mentality.is like comparing c.ronaldo to Messi same thing with comparing rudiger with vvd
Hybrid637
0
would like to know where's marquinhis,hakimi and t.silva
kodklmnt
2
Please Where Is Ronaldo? His and His Fans Life Matters
ak3000
1
The year didn't start this season. The end of last season of Liverpool with 3 finals and a premier league decided on the last game, played in the balance as well.
Jumelstuz
0
Vvd can't keep clean sheets at Liverpool π€£
irfanspengku
0
wtf is that? you left the ballon d'0r winner outπ
benzema is in bro
Teetorh24
1
wtf is that? you left the ballon d'0r winner outπ
Zeybikmst
0
Netherlands would be smart to retire Virgil; Matthijs De Ligt would be the perfect replacement, also as Captain, as he is much stronger offensively, and would help Frenkie to excel, as when they both played at Ajax.
PanAteLexis
2
Iβm a Liverpool fan and I will tell you Van Dijk is not supposed to be on this team.
Owells
6
MY TEAM OF THE YEAR!
jiuadekltz
1
where's Thiago Silva?
TheO2man
1
Why is Kareem Benzema is there? What about Haaland and Lewandowski? Ruben Dias and Marquinhos are still far better than Van Dijk and Gvaldiol.
dunaipyz
0
Vinicius needs to be there
maturidikxith
4
fans are stupid vvd and walker are key player for their last season success π