Lionel Messi Named Among Nominees for 2026 FIFPRO Men's World XI

Lionel Messi has been selected as one of the 26 nominees for the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World XI, joining a prestigious shortlist decided by nearly 20,000 professional footballers from around the globe. The voting process, which saw 19,806 players participate, highlights the top performers across the eligible period based on the direct assessment of their peers.

The distinctive feature of the FIFPRO World XI is its exclusive reliance on professional players to select the team. Messi joins longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane on the shortlist, alongside global stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal. Additional nominees feature standouts like Rodri, Thibaut Courtois, and Virgil van Dijk, as well as defensive and midfield talents from top European clubs.

In addition to his inclusion on the World XI shortlist, Messi recently made headlines for his selections in the Kopa Trophy voting. Unlike the senior Ballon d'Or prize, the Kopa Trophy for the best player under the age of 21 is decided exclusively by former Ballon d'Or winners. Twenty-seven past champions submitted ballots, with Cristiano Ronaldo being one of three living titleholders who abstained.

Messi aligned with the final standings by placing Lamine Yamal first and Pau Cubarsi second on his podium, but he stood alone among his fellow former winners by selecting Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza for third place. Maza, a 20-year-old who transitioned from Germany's second tier to the Bundesliga and chose to represent Algeria internationally for sporting reasons, earned high praise from the Argentine icon.

Meanwhile, on the domestic front in the United States, Messi is on the verge of capturing another milestone with Inter Miami. Having claimed the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi in his first complete regular season with 29 goals in 28 games, the 39-year-old forward has mounted another prolific campaign under manager Javier Mascherano.

Should Messi secure the top scorer title again, he would achieve back-to-back scoring crowns—a feat not accomplished in Major League Soccer for 21 years, since Taylor Twellman achieved the double across the 2004 and 2005 seasons with the New England Revolution. Despite elite European strikers featuring in the league over the intervening two decades, none managed consecutive scoring titles.

Operating with tactical freedom under Mascherano to drop deep into midfield and orchestrate attacks, Messi has balanced his goalscoring with league-leading assist numbers. As he manages physical workloads between international duties with Argentina and domestic MLS fixtures, his enduring efficiency continues to command respect across the global sports landscape.