A remarkable 11 FC Bayern stars feature on the 55-strong shortlist for the FIFA FIFPro World XI 2015, namely Philipp Lahm, Manuel Neuer, Jérôme Boateng, Thomas Müller, David Alaba, Thiago, Xabi Alonso, Arturo Vidal, Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski and Douglas Costa. Bayern thus provide more candidates then Champions League holders FC Barcelona (10), with only Real Madrid (12) edging ahead of the German record champions.

FIFPro, the worldwide players' union, and world football's governing body FIFA select the FIFA FIFPro World XI every year. According to FIFA, more than 25,000 professional footballers from 70 different countries are involved in this year's vote, each selecting one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. The final World XI will be announced at the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala at Zurich Kongresshaus on 11 January 2016, when the coveted golden ball will also be presented to the world player of the year.