:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55618073/usa_today_10139766.0.jpg)
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Nemanja Nikolic are members of the 2017 MLS All-Star Fan XI announced Friday are set to take on Real Madrid at Soldier Field in the 2017 MLS All-Star game.
The two were included in the first 11 because of the high volume of fan votes they received over the last few weeks, and join the likes of Kaká, David Villa and Sebastian Giovinco.
Chicago Fire and MLS All-Star head coach Veljko Paunovic will select 11 more individuals for the team from a group of media-determined eligible players, including two who will be chosen by Commissioner Don Garber.
Both Schweinsteiger and Nikolic took to Twitter to share their excitement about the announcement—doing so in a humble and gracious manner.
I got voted in to @MLS All-Star Team Fan XI. Thank you for all the votes, I am very happy and proud to represent the League @SoldierField https://t.co/iapekBIy49
— Nikolic Nemanja (@niko_nemanja) July 7, 2017
It’s an honor to be chosen for the @MLS All-Star Fan XI. Thank you for all of your votes! https://t.co/zoB6coGGh1
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) July 7, 2017
The German World Cup winner also shared some thoughts about the selection with the Chicago Tribune.
"It's special," he said. "To be invited and to have the game in Chicago, it's really a great feeling."
The following players were also selected for the All-Star game via fan voting:
Tim Howard (Colorado)
Greg Garza (Atlanta)
Graham Zusi (Kansas City)
DaMarcus Beasley (Houston)
Miguel Almiron (Atlanta)
Kaka (Orlando)
Michael Bradley (Toronto)
David Villa (NYCFC)
Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto)
The All-Star game will be the fourth match of Real Madrid’s American preseason tour, and the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos will likely all be with the team.
The 2017 MLS All-Star game will take place at Soldier Field on Wednesday, Aug 2, and can be seen on Fox Sports 1 at 8pm.