Croatian Footballer Sandra Zigic Nominated for Women’s World XI

Sandra Zigic (Photo: HNS)

Croatian football international Sandra Zigic has been nominated for Women’s World XI.

The 30-year-old from Zagreb is one of 55 players selected from 4,100 female players in 45 countries for the 2017 Women’s World XI, in a poll organized by FIFPro.

“I am surprised. I knew I was shortlisted from Croatia but I did not expect to be nominated. Of course, it means a lot, although it still has not sunken in that I am among the best 20 defenders in the world,” Zigic told hns-cff.hr.

“This recognition is great motivation to continue to work even harder on myself so I can give my best for my club and the Croatian national team,” the FF USV Jena defender added.

Congratulations #Sandra #Zigic! 👏 You’ve been nominated for the #WomensWorldXI. Read more 👉 https://t.co/heaqoPdGLu pic.twitter.com/qSphpIKBed

— FIFPro (@FIFPro) March 2, 2018

Six members of the Dutch national team, crowned European champion last summer, dominate the list of players announced on Friday.

More than 4,100 female players acting at the highest level in 45 countries worldwide voted for this year’s World XI. It is the third time that FIFPro organizes this unique poll, which invites female top footballers to select one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers.

Sandra Zigic (HNS)

The 5 goalkeepers, 20 defenders, 15 midfielders and 15 attackers who received most votes appear on the list of 55 players.

FIFPro will announce the eleven players who are voted in the 2017 Women’s World XI next Thursday, March 8th, which is also International Women’s Day.

THE 55 PLAYERS ON THE 2017 LIST ARE:
Name (Nationality – Current Club)

GOALKEEPERS
Katarzyna Kiedrzynek (Poland – Paris Saint-Germain)
Hedvig Lindahl (Sweden – Chelsea FC)
Sandra Paños (Spain – FC Barcelona)
Andreea Părăluță (Romania – Atlético Madrid)
Almuth Schult (Germany – VfL Wolfsburg)

DEFENDERS
Millie Bright (England – Chelsea FC)
Lucy Bronze (England – Olympique Lyonnais)
Kadeisha Buchanan (Canada – Ol. Lyonnais)
Anouk Dekker (The Netherlands – Montpellier)
Kristin Demann (Germany – FC Bayern München)
Nilla Fischer (Sweden – VfL Wolfsburg)
Natalia Gaitán (Colombia – Valencia CF)
Stephanie Houghton (England – Man City, photo)
Tuija Hyyrynen (Finland – Juventus FC)
Alanna Kennedy (Australia – Melbourne City FC)
Saki Kumagai (Japan – Olympique Lyonnais)
Ashley Lawrence (Canada – Paris Saint-Germain)
Elena Linari (Italy – ACF Fiorentina FC)
Amel Majri (France – Olympique Lyonnais)
Irene Paredes (Spain – Paris Saint-Germain)
Babett Peter (Germany – VfL Wolfsburg)
Wendie Renard (France – Olympique Lyonnais)
Ali Riley (New Zealand – FC Rosengård)
Line Røddik Hansen (Denmark – FC Barcelona)
Sandra Žigić (Croatia – FF USV Jena)

MIDFIELDERS
Camille Abily (France – Olympique Lyonnais)
Karen Carney (England – Chelsea FC)
Sara Däbritz (Germany – FC Bayern München)
Daniëlle van de Donk (The Netherlands – Arsenal)
Jackie Groenen (The Netherlands – FFC Frankfurt)
Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (Iceland – VfL Wolfsburg)
Amandine Henry (France – Olympique Lyonnais)
Carli Lloyd (United States – Sky Blue FC, photo)
Victoria Losada (Spain – FC Barcelona)
Dzsenifer Marozsán (Germany – Ol. Lyonnais)
Silvia Meseguer (Spain – Atlético Madrid)
Alice Parisi (Italy – ACF Fiorentina FC)
Caroline Seger (Sweden – FC Rosengård)
Marta Vieira da Silva (Brazil – Orlando Pride)
Caroline Weir (Scotland – Liverpool FC)

FORWARDS
EugenieLeSommer SHORTLIST 250Barbara Bonansea (Italy – Juventus FC)
Deyna Castellanos (Venezuela – FSU)
Pernille Harder (Denmark – VfL Wolfsburg)
Ada Hegerberg (Norway – Olympique Lyonnais)
Jennifer Hermoso (Spain – Paris Saint-Germain)
Samantha Kerr (Australia – Perth Glory)
Eugénie Le Sommer (France – Ol. Lyonnais, photo)
Lieke Martens (The Netherlands – FC Barcelona)
Vivianne Miedema (The Netherlands – Arsenal FC)
Alex Morgan (United States – Orlando Pride)
Nadia Nadim (Denmark – Manchester City)
Ewa Pajor (Poland – VfL Wolfsburg)
Laura Rus (Romania – Apollon FC)
Shanice van de Sanden (Netherlands – Lyonnais)
Jodie Taylor (England – Melbourne City)