Messi and Ronaldo excluded from FIFPRO men's world XI

In HOOFDDORP, Netherlands, the global players' union FIFPRO announced the men's world team of the year, revealing that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo did not make the list for the first time since 2006. The 37-year-old Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, and the 39-year-old Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, were the only players not with European clubs on a 26-man shortlist. The selection process involved votes from professional players across 70 countries, highlighting the perspectives of the players themselves on who they believed deserved recognition this year. The chosen team featured a strong representation from top European clubs, particularly Real Madrid and Manchester City, underscoring their dominance in recent football seasons. Players such as Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Kevin De Bruyne were selected, emphasizing a shift in the landscape of football talent, with a new generation emerging as key figures on the world stage. The omission of both Messi and Ronaldo marks a significant moment in football history, as both have been iconic figures in the sport for over a decade, consistently appearing in award lists. Messi holds the record for selections, having made the team 17 times, while Ronaldo has been chosen 15 times but last featured in 2021. The final voting results reflect a broader evolution within the sport as new talents rise, while established legends begin to step back from their long-held positions of prominence.