For the first time in 17 years, Lionel Messi, one of football’s greatest legends, has been left out of the FIFPRO Men’s World XI. Cristiano Ronaldo, another iconic name with 15 previous selections, also failed to make the 2024 line-up, marking a significant shift in the global football hierarchy, as a new generation of stars dominates the stage.
The World XI, voted on by over 21,000 professional footballers from 70 countries, showcases players primarily from Real Madrid and Manchester City, with Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk as the only representative from outside these two clubs.
| Position | Player | Club | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Ederson | Manchester City | Brazil |
| Defender | Dani Carvajal | Real Madrid | Spain |
| Defender | Antonio Rüdiger | Real Madrid | Germany |
| Defender | Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool | Netherlands |
| Midfielder | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid | England |
| Midfielder | Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | Belgium |
| Midfielder | Toni Kroos | Real Madrid | Germany |
| Midfielder | Rodri | Manchester City | Spain |
| Forward | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | Norway |
| Forward | Kylian Mbappé | PSG/Real Madrid | France |
| Forward | Vinícius Júnior | Real Madrid | Brazil |
This year’s lineup reflects a generational shift, as Manchester City’s Ederson makes his debut in the World XI. The defensive line is headlined by Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and Van Dijk, who delivered consistently remarkable performances.
In midfield, Jude Bellingham, the most-voted player of 2024, stands out alongside Toni Kroos, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri, who was also crowned Ballon d’Or winner this year.
The forward trio of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior rounds out the squad, signaling a new era in football. Despite Mbappé’s mixed form, his overall impact across the season earned him a spot in the elite XI.
Lionel Messi’s omission ends his unmatched 17-year streak of FIFPRO World XI selections. The Argentinian maestro’s move to Inter Miami this year likely contributed to his exclusion. Similarly, Cristiano Ronaldo, who transitioned to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has now missed the World XI for three consecutive years since 2021.
The FIFPRO World XI remains the only award entirely determined by votes from professional players, ensuring selections are a true reflection of peer recognition.
With Messi and Ronaldo absent, 2024 signifies a pivotal moment in football history, as emerging stars like Bellingham, Haaland, and Vinicius step forward to lead the next chapter of the sport.
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