Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva receive framed World 11 jerseys

• The Manchester City pair were voted into the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 by professional footballers from around the globe
  
  
• The World 11 is the only global player award decided exclusively by professional footballers
  
  
• Over 28,000 professional footballers voted for their team of the year, which was revealed in January 2024 at The Best FIFA Football Awards

Portugal internationals Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva were presented with framed jerseys by Portuguese player union SJPF and FIFPRO in recognition of their place in the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11.

The Manchester City duo were voted into the team of the year by professional footballers from around the world. Since 2005, FIFPRO has invited the world’s players to choose their World 11. It is the only global player award decided exclusively by footballers.

Dias and Silva received the framed jerseys from SJPF President Joaquim Evangelista at Cidade do Futebol, the Portuguese FA headquarters, in Oeiras.

"It's extra special since it’s a vote from the players," Dias said of the World 11 award. "Being recognised by our colleagues gives an extra flavour. It’s the second time I’ve been in the World 11 and I’m very happy – may there be more times."

The defender continued: "FIFPRO and the Portuguese union are the institutions promoting this recognition for players, it's special for us and I hope they continue to recognise our work with such important awards."

While Dias made his second appearance in the World 11, the 2023 edition marked Silva's debut. He was one of six Man City treble winners – including Kyle Walker, John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Dias – to be voted into the team of the year that was revealed at The Best FIFA Football Awards in January 2024.

"It's very special to be recognised by my co-workers, people who know me and who are on the field. I’m very happy to be in the World 11 for the first time," said Silva.

The attacking midfielder left an important message for all young players who aspire to reach his level: "Enjoy football, because it is something we all love and, above all, believe during the bad times. All of us, including me and Ruben who are at the highest level, have less good moments and we can’t go down. We have to move forward, because making mistakes is part of it and that’s how we learn to be better."

Silva also recognised the role of FIFPRO and SJPF in protecting the interests of players. He said: "Both institutions help thousands of players and I encourage you to continue your work and help all the players in need."

SJPF President Evangelista congratulated the Portuguese pair: "Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias, with their talent, personality, and way of being in football, as in life, give us the certainty that players will be well represented in the future. In addition to the awards, I want to congratulate them on their respective journeys."

Dias and Silva’s inclusion in the 2023 edition brings the number of all-time Portuguese World 11 appearances to 19; made up of Cristiano Ronaldo (15), Ruben Dias (2), Joao Cancelo (1) and Bernardo Silva (1). It means Portugal are ranked third in all-time appearances behind Brazil (34) and Spain (45).