The 2014 FIFA Gala started with the unveiling of the FIFPro Starting XI. Perhaps the highlight of the ceremony was the absence of PSG's defenders David Luiz and Thiago Silva.
Manuel Neuer was revealed as the best goalkeeper in the 2013-2014 season, while Sergio Ramos and Philip Lahm were nominated along PSG's center backs as last year's best defenders.
German Toni Kroos, Spanish Andres Iniesta and Angel Di Maria were named as the best players in the center of the pitch.
Upfront, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben were selected as last season's top strikers. Robben was expected to be included in the Ballon D'Or nomination, but Manuel Neuer was elected instead.
The election of David Luiz shocked fans around the world. Read about fans' reactions below!
David Luiz must have nudes of Sepp Blatter
— Dozy Phil Jones (@philjones53) January 12, 2015
David Luiz has made team of the year... http://t.co/QbOOZkixji
— Sunday League (@SundayShoutsFC) January 12, 2015
Unreal banter by FIFA to put David Luiz and Iniesta in team of the year.
— Adam (@UtdAdam_) January 12, 2015
David Luiz being in the world 11 proves that defending is dead. Completely dead.
— Sir Alex Ferguson (@Furious_Fergie) January 12, 2015
The absolute cheek to put David Luiz in there over Miranda, Godin and Boateng.
— Nico (@nicojc5) January 12, 2015
David Luiz has made team of the year...https://t.co/b4mymIzGLw
— Football Vines (@FootballVines) January 12, 2015
David Luiz is a CB in the World XI pic.twitter.com/7ZTeP3jmQk
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) January 12, 2015 
