LONDON (BN24) — Football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have once again been named among the world’s elite as FIFPro on Monday released the 26-man shortlist for the 2025 Men’s World XI.
The announcement, made via FIFPro’s official X account, unveiled the names of the players competing for a place in the final team, which honors the best footballers in the world as voted by their professional peers.
FIFPro’s annual World XI award remains one of football’s most prestigious recognitions, reflecting the opinions of players from every continent and celebrating the standout performances across global competitions.
The shortlist spans football’s biggest leagues and showcases a blend of experience and youth.
In the goalkeeping category, nominees include Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), and Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), three consistent performers for club and country.
The defensive lineup features Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), and William Saliba (Arsenal).
In midfield, the list includes Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Joao Neves (Benfica), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Pedri (Barcelona), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), and Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) a collection of world-class playmakers combining creativity, vision, and consistency.
The forward selection features football’s most recognizable names: Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Raphinha (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), and Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
Fans and analysts have already begun debating who will make the final XI, with attention centered on how seasoned icons like Ronaldo and Messi will fare against emerging stars such as Cubarsi, Yamal, and Neves.
The inclusion of these young players signals a generational shift in world football, as a new wave of talent continues to challenge the dominance of established legends. This dynamic highlights the sport’s evolution, a fusion of experience, creativity, and youthful brilliance shaping the modern game.
The final FIFPro Men’s World XI will be revealed on Monday, November 3, 2025, during the official FIFA awards ceremony.
With some of the sport’s most celebrated names competing for recognition, the announcement promises to ignite further debate and anticipation among fans worldwide.
This year’s shortlist underscores not only the enduring excellence of football’s greatest stars but also the rise of a new generation determined to leave its mark on the global stage.
