Lionel Messi has been included in the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11, further extending his record as the most-selected player in the award’s history, whereas Cristiano Ronaldo did not make the final team.
Messi is back in the prestigious lineup for the first time since 2023, bringing his record total of selections to 18.
The Argentine was first chosen in 2007 and has kept earning recognition from fellow professional footballers across successive generations.
Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal also made history by becoming the first player to receive two FIFPRO World 11 selections before turning 20. The Spain international was also part of last year’s team.
Yamal is joined in the 2026 selection by fellow Spaniards David Raya, Pau Cubarsi, and Rodri, lifting Spain’s record tally of Men’s World 11 appearances to 53.
The team was revealed after votes from 19,806 professional male footballers in 73 countries, making it one of the few major football awards decided exclusively by players.
Since 2005, FIFPRO has invited professional footballers around the world to vote for the players they feel delivered the most impressive performances during the assessment period.
2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11
Goalkeeper
- David Raya (Arsenal, Spain)
Defenders
- Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain)
- Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
- Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Midfielders
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
- Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona, Spain)
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Forwards
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
Professional footballers cast their votes via a secure digital platform supplied by FIFPRO and its affiliated player unions.
For the 2026 edition, players were evaluated on the basis of their performances from August 4, 2025, to July 19, 2026. To be eligible, footballers must have played in at least 30 official matches during that period.
Each voter picked their three top performers in four categories: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward.
The goalkeeper, along with the three players who received the most votes in each of the defensive, midfield, and attacking categories, secured their spots in the team.
The last remaining place went to the outfield player with the highest number of votes.
