Lionel Messi’s peers gave him one more appearance in the FIFPRO World XI lineup Monday after nearly 20,000 players voted for their best team in a poll organized by the global union.
At age 39, the Argentina icon was elected to the team as part a four-superstar attack alongside Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal. Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane missed out.
This is Messi’s 18th year appearing in the XI and he was last chosen in 2023.
The Inter Miami forward also was the only men’s World XI selection playing for a club outside Europe. Paris Saint-Germain’s Morocco right back Achraf Hakimi was the only other selection from a national team outside Europe.
Spain’s World Cup champion squads dominated with four players including 19-year-old Yamal voted on the men’s team and five on the Women’s World XI, including three-time Ballon d’Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, also announced Monday by the Netherlands-based union.
The combined age of Barcelona pair Yamal and defender Pau Cubarsí adds up to a couple of days fewer than the 39 years, four months, of Messi. The World XI has a third Barcelona and Spain player in Rodri, who signed from Manchester City after winning the FIFA Golden Ball trophy as best player at the World Cup.
Goalkeeper David Raya was a backup for Spain, though he won election to the World XI for his performances with Arsenal, the Premier League winner and Champions League finalist.
Two-time Champions League winner PSG had a hat trick of players: Hakimi wa joined by left back Nuno Mendes and midfielder Vitinha.
Jude Bellingham’s selection with Mbappé gave Real Madrid two picks.
(Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
