In a groundbreaking shift in football history, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of the sport’s greatest legends, have been excluded from the 2024 FIFPRO Men’s World XI. This marks the first time since 2006 that neither of the iconic duo has made it to the prestigious lineup, reflecting a significant generational transition in global football.
The 2024 FIFPRO Men’s World XI
The World XI, curated through votes from over 21,000 professional footballers across 70 countries, showcases the top players from Real Madrid and Manchester City, with Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk as the sole representative from another club.
Full Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Ederson (Manchester City)
- Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
- Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Retired, ex-Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Rodri (Manchester City, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner)
- Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
Jude Bellingham emerged as the most-voted player in 2024, receiving an astonishing 11,176 votes, reflecting his incredible performances throughout the year.
End of an Era: Messi and Ronaldo’s Absence
Lionel Messi, now 37, and Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 39, were the only nominees from clubs outside Europe—Inter Miami and Al-Nassr, respectively. Despite their illustrious careers, their exclusion signifies a poignant moment in football.
- Messi: Record-holder for most FIFPRO World XI selections (17 times), with 850 goals and 379 assists across his career.
- Ronaldo: Selected 15 times previously, the top scorer in men’s football history with 916 goals.
This year also marks the first time since 2006 that neither Messi nor Ronaldo was shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or, further emphasizing the transition to a new generation of stars.
2024 FIFPRO Men’s World XI
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 |
A New Era of Football Dominance
The 2024 lineup represents a generational shift with emerging stars like Erling Haaland, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham taking center stage. Manchester City’s Ederson made his debut in the World XI, solidifying his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers globally.
Real Madrid’s Record-Breaking Year
Real Madrid now holds the record for the most contributions to the FIFPRO Men’s World XI, with six players in 2024, surpassing Barcelona’s historical tally.
What This Means for Football
The exclusion of Messi and Ronaldo signifies the close of an extraordinary chapter in football, as new players rise to shape the sport’s future. The FIFPRO Men’s World XI remains the only award solely determined by votes from professional footballers, making it a true reflection of peer recognition.
