No Room for Kane! Messi Back in FIFPRO XI as Yamal Breaks Teenage Record
Messi earned a record-extending 18th selection after nearly 20,000 professional players voted, while Ballon d'Or winner Kane was left off the final XI.
- On Monday, Lionel Messi returned to the FIFPRO Men's World 11 for a record-extending 18th selection, while Barcelona star Lamine Yamal became the first player selected twice before turning 20.
- The lineup was selected following a vote by 19,806 professional footballers across 73 countries, evaluating performances between August 4, 2025, and July 19, 2026, for players featuring in at least 30 official matches.
- Despite winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or, England captain Harry Kane was a notable omission from the squad, sparking debate. Other exclusions include Bayern Munich teammate Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé.
- Goalkeeper David Raya leads a backline of Achraf Hakimi, Pau Cubarsi, and Nuno Mendes, with Paris Saint-Germain boasting three representatives and Spain contributing four players to the 2026 squad.
- England and Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze earned her ninth selection to the FIFPRO Women's World 11, while Zambia striker Barbra Banda was the only player from outside England and Spain included.
205 Articles
205 Articles
At the end of October, Harry Kane was awarded the Ballon d-Or. Now almost 20,000 professionals from all over the world chose their team of the year. The Bavarian striker surprisingly did not make it to the first eleven.
Cyprus Mail
Messi returns to FIFPRO World 11, Ballon d’Or winner Kane misses out
Lionel Messi returned to the FIFPRO Men’s World 11 for a record-extending 18th selection on Monday, but Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane was a surprise omission from the team chosen by professional players from 73 countries. Messi, who announced his international retirement in August after helping Argentina reach the World Cup final and continues to […]
[OSEN=Reporter Ko Seong-hwan] Although recognized as the world's best player, he was not actually chosen by his fellow players. A shocking event occurred where Harry Kane (33, Bayern Munich), the '2026 Ballon d'Or winner,' was dropped from the FIFPro World Best 11. This is an unprecedented upset in history. On the 10th (Korean time), FIFPro [announced] the '2026 Men's World Best 11'
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) has been selected for the FIFPRO Men's 'World Best 11' for the 18th time, the most in history. On the 10th (Korean time), FIFPRO announced on its website the list of the 2026 Men's World Best 11, determined by votes from 19,806 male professional soccer players from 73 countries.
Harry Kane failed to make the 2026 FIFPRO Team of the Year despite being a Ballon d'Or winner. Messi made a comeback, while Ronaldo was also left out.
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