Players Crown Their Champions: FIFPRO Announces World Best XI for 2025 Voted by Players

In the most democratic process in world football, over 26,000 professional players from 68 countries have spoken. Their verdict, announced on November 3rd, 2025, has produced the most surprising and youth-driven FIFPRO World Best XI for 2025 in recent memory—a selection that signals a seismic shift in football’s global hierarchy and marks the end of an era.

For the first time since 2006, neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo features in the prestigious lineup, as a new generation of superstars claims the spotlight. Led by 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, who becomes the youngest player ever selected for the World XI, this year’s team represents not just exceptional individual performances, but a changing of the guard in world football.

The Revolutionary Selection Process

The FIFPRO World Best XI for 2025 stands alone in football’s awards landscape as the only global recognition decided exclusively by the players themselves. Unlike journalist-driven awards or panel decisions, this represents the purest form of peer recognition—professionals acknowledging excellence from those who truly understand the game’s demands.

The voting period covered performances from July 15, 2024, to August 3, 2025, with eligibility requiring a minimum of 30 official appearances. Each of the 26,000+ voters selected their top three performers across four positional categories: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, and forward.

Complete FIFPRO World Best XI for 2025

Historic Youth Movement

The most striking aspect of the World Best XI for 2025 is its youthful composition. With six players making their debut appearances and an average age significantly lower than previous editions, this selection reflects football’s rapid generational transition.

Lamine Yamal’s inclusion represents the crown jewel of this youth revolution. At just 18 years old, the Barcelona winger shatters Kylian Mbappé’s previous record as the youngest World XI selection, achieved when the Frenchman was named at 19 in 2018. Yamal’s recognition comes after a spectacular season that saw him finish second in Ballon d’Or voting behind Ousmane Dembélé.

Cole Palmer’s inclusion provides another compelling narrative. The Chelsea midfielder’s rise from Manchester City academy graduate to World XI selection exemplifies the rapid elevation possible in modern football. Despite battling persistent groin injuries that limited his appearances since August, Palmer’s Club World Cup performances and spring form proved decisive in capturing his peers’ recognition.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Dominance

The most telling aspect of the World Best XI for 2025 lies in Paris Saint-Germain’s unprecedented representation. With five players featured—including former goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, now at Manchester City—PSG’s influence reflects their historic treble-winning campaign that culminated in their first UEFA Champions League triumph.

PSG’s dominance extends beyond mere numbers. The French giants’ tactical evolution under Luis Enrique has created a system that maximizes individual brilliance while maintaining collective effectiveness. This approach is exemplified by the inclusion of Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé.

Club Representation in World Best XI for 2025

*Donnarumma transferred from PSG to Manchester City during the voting period

The Messi-Ronaldo Era Ends

Perhaps the most significant storyline surrounding the World Best XI for 2025 is the absence of football’s greatest rivals. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who between them have 34 World XI appearances, have been omitted for the first time since 2006—effectively ending an 18-year duopoly.

Their exclusion reflects more than declining performance levels; it represents football’s structural shift toward European-based excellence. Despite Messi’s continued impact at Inter Miami and Ronaldo’s goal-scoring prowess at Al Nassr, the voting players have prioritized European competition’s intensity and visibility.

This generational transition creates both narrative closure and new possibilities. While nostalgic observers mourn the end of an era, the emergence of Yamal, Palmer, and other debutants signals football’s healthy evolution toward new sources of inspiration and excellence.

Formation and Tactical Analysis

The World Best XI for 2025 adopts an attacking 3-4-3 formation that emphasizes creativity and pace over defensive solidity. This tactical approach reflects modern football’s evolution toward high-pressing, possession-based systems that prioritize technical ability and versatility.

Donnarumma’s selection as goalkeeper acknowledges his instrumental role in PSG’s Champions League triumph, where his penalty-saving ability and distribution proved crucial in knockout stages against Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal.

The defensive trio features only one natural center-back in Virgil van Dijk, flanked by attacking full-backs Hakimi and Mendes. This configuration mirrors the modern game’s emphasis on width and pace from defensive positions.

Midfield Mastery

The four-man midfield represents the selection’s most intriguing aspect, blending different tactical approaches and playing styles. Jude Bellingham’s inclusion reflects his continued excellence despite Real Madrid’s transitional season, while Pedri’s recognition acknowledges Barcelona’s renewed competitiveness.

Cole Palmer’s selection sparked considerable debate, given his limited appearances due to injury. However, his Club World Cup golden ball award and decisive spring performances convinced voters of his exceptional quality when fully fit.

Vitinha’s inclusion completes PSG’s midfield representation, highlighting the Portuguese international’s role in the club’s tactical transformation under Luis Enrique.

The New Generation Arrives

The attacking trio epitomizes football’s generational shift. Ousmane Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or triumph provides validation for his PSG switch and technical evolution, while Mbappé’s continued presence—his sixth World XI selection—establishes him as the era’s defining superstar.

Lamine Yamal’s inclusion alongside established stars demonstrates the respect his peers hold for his exceptional talent and mature performances despite his tender age. His recognition suggests a player destined for sustained excellence at football’s highest level.

Global Voting Patterns

The 26,000+ voters represented professional players from every continent, creating a truly global perspective on football excellence. This worldwide participation lends credibility to the selections while highlighting the sport’s universal nature and shared standards of excellence.

The voting patterns reveal interesting trends: European-based players dominate selection, reflecting the continent’s competitive intensity and global visibility. However, the recognition of players like Hakimi (Morocco) and Yamal (Spain, via Barcelona) demonstrates football’s increasing diversity and talent distribution.

Historical Context and Future Implications

The World Best XI for 2025 will be remembered as a watershed moment in football history. The simultaneous emergence of multiple generational talents while established legends step aside creates a unique period of transition and opportunity.

For FIFPRO, this selection validates their democratic approach to football recognition. By empowering players to choose their peers, the organization has created an award with genuine credibility and significance within the football community.

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