FIFPRO WORLD XI 2025 surprise: Ronaldo, Messi, Salah absent

(NLDO) - The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) has announced the 2025 best squad, marking the strongest generational transition in history.

Since its inception in 2005, the FIFPRO World 11 has been the only global football award decided entirely by professional footballers. No hand or influence has been involved in the voting process from over 20,000 professional male footballers from 68 countries.

The absence of legends

The announcement of the FIFPRO World XI 2025 has caused a stir in public opinion. Not only Messi and Ronaldo, the two superstars who have dominated football for more than a decade, are absent, but other top strikers such as Mohamed Salah and Robert Lewandowski are also absent.

Two superstars who are still working hard on the field at the age of 40 or so have been forgotten.

It was a blow to the veterans, especially Cristiano Ronaldo, who was working towards the incredible milestone of 1,000 career goals. His outstanding individual performance this year was not enough to convince his global colleagues compared to the performances of the next generation.

Premier League loses ground, PSG dominates

2025 saw a clear decline in the Premier League's position with only three stars making it into the squad, a significant decrease compared to previous years.

FIFPRO WORLD XI is an award voted by players - Clip: FIFPRO

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is the only veteran name to retain his place in defence. Chelsea's rising star Cole Palmer has impressed in midfield and Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is also in the mix, but his achievements have mainly been recorded in the first half of the year when he was with Paris Saint-Germain.

Two stars playing football in England were honored.

It was PSG who were the dominant force. After the French club won their first Champions League title in their history, they left a deep mark on this XI. Full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, along with midfielder Vitinha, formed a solid PSG backbone in the XI.

Youth records and new future

This year's FIFPRO World XI is not just a passing of the baton, but an absolute tribute to youth and explosive talent.

The midfield line saw the presence of Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) and Pedri (Barcelona), the future "conductors" of world football.

The attack is built around a formidable trio: Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) and a name that will go down in history, Lamine Yamal of Barcelona.

Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal

At the age of 18, Yamal broke Mbappe's own record - set in 2018 at the age of 19 - to become the youngest player ever selected for the FIFPRO Men's World XI. Perhaps there is no need to say much about the talented young man who has surprised the world since his journey to conquer Euro 2024 with the Spanish team up to now.

Jude Bellingham

The emergence of Yamal, Palmer and Bellingham sends a clear message: the era of legends is coming to an end and the future will depend entirely on the new generation who will shape football in the next decade.

The two best male and female football teams in the world in 2025

FIFPRO Men's World XI 2025:

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Man City, Italy)

Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands), Achraf Hakimi (PSG, Morocco), Nuno Mendes (PSG, Portugal)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Cole Palmer (Chelsea, England), Pedri (Barcelona, ​​Spain), Vitinha (PSG, Portugal)

Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (PSG, France), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, ​​Spain).

FIFPRO World XI Men 2025

England dominate FIFPRO Women's World XI 2025

England are the most represented nation in the 2025 FIFPRO Women's World XI, with six members of the national team, including goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and striker Chloe Kelly.

Defender Lucy Bronze made history by winning a record eighth FIFPRO Women's World XI, surpassing France's Wendie Renard, who has seven.

This year's FIFPRO Women's World XI also marked an important milestone for African football: For the first time, two players from the Black continent were present, including Barbra Banda (Zambia) and Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/bat-ngo-fifpro-world-xi-2025-ronaldo-messi-salah-vang-bong-1962511040728238.htm