FIFPro has announced their Menâs World XI for 2024, and neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo are part of the lineup. The Inter Miami star and the Al Nassr forward had been nominated for the recognition, but failed to make the final cut.
With their nominations, they extended their records of nominations: 18th for the Argentine and 16th for the Portuguese. Ronaldoâs last appearance in the team came in 2021. Meanwhile, this is the first time since 2006 that Messi hasnât been selected, breaking his 17-year streak. Leo still holds the record after being voted into the team 17 times, while Ronaldo has been selected 15 times.
Apart from the absence of the two veterans, who were the only players from clubs outside of Europe to be among the nominees, the other interesting thing about the lineup is that it includes six Real Madrid players, four Manchester City players and only Virgil Van Dijk from Liverpool.
In defense, the selected players were Cityâs Ederson in goal, with Madrid duo Dani Carvajal and Antonio RĂŒdiger partnering Van Dijk. Meanwhile, the midfield consists on Jude Bellingham, the recently retired Toni Kroos, Kevin De Bruyne and Ballon dâOr winner Rodri from City.
FIFA Ballon dâOr nominees Lionel Messi of Argentina and FC Barcelona (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Real Madrid smile during the FIFA Ballon dâOr Gala 2014.
City striker Erling Haaland is teamed up with Kylian Mbappe, who has struggled in the past few months since signing with Madrid, and his teammate Vinicius Junior in the attack. According to FIFPro, Bellingham received the most Menâs World 11 votes from his fellow professionals; being selected 11,176 times.
The end of the Messi-Ronaldo era
Apart from not being featured in the FIFProâs men XI, Messi, 37, and Ronaldo, 39, were also absent from the Ballon DâOr nominees, being the first time that neither of them were in the shortlist in 20 years.
On the other hand, Messi was considered as a finalist for the FIFA The Best Award, which will be announced in January 2025. He is in the shortlist, alongside Haaland, Mbappe, Rodri, Vinicius, De Bruyne, Federico Valverde, Florian Wirtz, Dani Carvajal, Julian Alvarez, and Mohammed Salah.
Real Madrid breaks Barcelonaâs record in FIFPro
Last year, Real Madrid surpassed Barcelona to become the club with the most contributions to the Menâs World 11 in history. This total has now reached 60, with Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Jude Bellingham, Toni Kroos (now retired), Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr earning spots in the 2024 team of the year.
