One of football’s greatest icons, Lionel Messi, has not been included in the FIFPRO Men’s World XI for the first time in 17 years. Another legendary figure with 15 prior choices, Cristiano Ronaldo, was also left off of the 2024 roster, signalling a dramatic change in the global football hierarchy as a new generation of players takes the stage.
FIFPRO Men’s World XI for 2024
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool is the only player from outside Real Madrid and Manchester City to make the World XI, which is chosen by more than 21,000 professional football players from 70 countries.
Player Position, Club, and Nation
Goalie EdersonBrazil’s Manchester City
Real Madrid defender Dani CarvajalSpain
Antonio Rüdiger, defenderGermany’s Real Madrid
Protector Vigil van DijkLiverpoolThe Netherlands
Jude Bellingham, a midfielderEngland’s Real Madrid
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De BruyneBelgium
German midfielder Toni Kroos of Real Madrid
Rodri, a midfielder for Manchester CitySpain
Erling Haaland, forwardCity of ManchesterNorway
Kylian Mbappé, forwardReal Madrid/PSGFrance
Vinícius Júnior, a forward for Real Madrid Brazil
A generational change may be seen in this year’s team as Ederson of Manchester City makes his World XI debut. Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and Van Dijk lead the defensive line and have all had consistently outstanding performances.
Jude Bellingham, the 2024 player with the most votes, Toni Kroos, Kevin De Bruyne, and Rodri—who also won this year’s Ballon d’Or—stand out in midfield.
A new era in football is heralded by the attacking trio of Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland, who complete the roster. Despite his inconsistent play, Mbappé’s season-long effect secured him a place in the starting lineup.
Lionel Messi and Ronaldo’s Era Comes to an End
Lionel Messi’s unbroken 17-year run of FIFPRO World XI selections comes to an end with his exclusion. His omission was probably influenced by the Argentine maestro’s transfer to Inter Miami this season. In a similar vein, Cristiano Ronaldo has already missed the World XI for three straight years since 2021 after moving to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
The FIFPRO World XI is still the only award that is decided solely by professional players’ votes, guaranteeing that the choices are an accurate representation of peer recognition.
2024 will be a turning point in football history without Messi and Ronaldo, as up-and-coming players like Bellingham, Haaland, and Vinicius on the pitch to guide the game’s next phase.
