Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have continued defy age as both superstar make the 26 finalists for the 2025 Men’s FIFPRO World 11 released on Monday.
The two superstars have been rewarded for their efforts in 2024-25 by being included on the star-studded list alongside Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal.
Messi who turned 38 in June has appeared in 17 previous iterations of the FIFPRO XI – more than any other player – with Al-Nassr striker Ronaldo who is set to turn 41 in less than four months’ time having made the second most with 15.
Former Barcelona star Messi has been nominated for his remarkable efforts for Argentina and Inter Miami in that period while Ronaldo has also been unstoppable with Al-Nassr and the Portuguese national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in great form for Al Nassr. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
2025 FIFPRO World 11 26-man finalists list:
Goalkeepers:
Alisson Becker (Liverpool, Brazil)
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain/Manchester City, Italy)
Defenders:
Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool/Real Madrid, England)
Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain)
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands)
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil)
Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
William Saliba (Arsenal, France)
Midfielders:
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City/Napoli, Belgium)
Luka Modric (Real Madrid/AC Milan, Croatia)
Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea, England)
Pedri (Barcelona, Spain)
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid, Uruguay)
Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Forwards:
Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France)
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
Raphinha (Barcelona, Brazil)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, Portugal)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
The FIFPRO World 11 is the only global football award decided exclusively by professional footballers, with the UEFA Men’s Team of the Year being voted for by football fans.
Players who made the final 26-man list received the most votes from their peers, with nominees having needed to have played at least 30 professional matches between 15 July 2024 to 3 August 2025 inclusive.
One goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards who have received the most votes will be selected for the World 11, which will be named on Monday, 3 November 2025.
