The FIFPRO Men's World 11 was revealed Monday, with Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele highlighting the side, but there no place for Inter Miami's Lionel Messi for just the second time in nearly 20 years. Five players from PSG's Champions League winning team, including goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, were named to the squad, which is voted for by players.
FIFPROA squad full of talent
The 2025 squad is composed of some of the brightest talents in Europe, and features representatives from four of Europe's big five leagues:
GoalkeeperGianluigi DonnarrumaPSGDefenderAchraf HakimiPSGDefenderVirgil Van DijkLiverpoolDefenderNuno MendesPSGMidfielder VitinhaPSGMidfielderPedriBarcelonaMidfielderJude BellinghamReal MadridMidfielderCole PalmerChelseaForwardLamine YamalBarcelonaForwardOusmane DembelePSGForward Kylian MbappeReal MadridAdvertisement(C)Getty imagesPSG lead the way
The Parisians, unsurprisingly, lead the way, with five of the club's starting XI of the Champions League winning side honored. They might have had more, too. Centerback Marquinhos and midfielder Joao Neves were both nominated – but neither cracked the side.
Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a surprise omission from the list of nominees, which was released in October. Barcelona and Real Madrid were next on the list, with two players apiece, voted in by their peers.
Meanwhile, Lamine Yamal became the youngest-ever player named in the Men’s World 11, and Chelsea's Cole Palmer is one of six debutants.
"Being part of the FIFPRO World 11 is obviously a great honor and to be voted by the other players is a nice feeling," said Palmer. "They know what it takes, obviously, to play the game at a high level, so to be voted by them is the best feeling."
Getty Images SportNo room for Lionel Messi
The headline omission was Messi. The Argentine missed the 2024 squad, as well, after making it for 17 straight years. He figured to have an outside shot after being nominated and shortlisted this year, but was unable to crack the team.
AFPCristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah among high profile omissions
Other absentees were perhaps more surprising. Mohamed Salah wasn't included in the World 11, despite leading the Premier League in both goals and assists – and also leading Liverpool to the title.
Cristiano Ronaldo received a nomination, but was not in the team. Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander Arnold and Raphinha – despite being considered a Ballon d'Or candidate for much of the season – also missed out.