Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Compete Against Young Rising Stars in the FIFPRO Men's World 11 2026

The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the public spotlight. These two global football megastars are included on the 26-nominee shortlist for the 2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11, an award that selects the world's official best team lineup voted exclusively by professional footballers.

Messi and Ronaldo appear alongside Harry Kane on the list published by the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) via its official website on Monday, 2 November 2026. All three are competing against a field of elite players including Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Lamine Yamal.

Being named on this nomination list reunites the two football icons who dominated the global stage for well over a decade. Even though they now compete in separate regional leagues, both players have retained enough respect to remain in contention for the players-voted world best XI.

Messi currently plays for Inter Miami, while Ronaldo represents Al Nassr. Both are listed among the 8 nominated forwards, alongside Haaland, Kane, Mbappé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Michael Olise, and Lamine Yamal.

This selection also features a clear cross-generational clash. Messi and Ronaldo appear on the shortlist alongside breakout young talents like Yamal and Bellingham, who have already established themselves as star players at their respective clubs.

FIFPRO recorded that 19,806 professional footballers from 73 different countries participated in the voting process. This player-only voting system distinguishes the FIFPRO World 11 from awards decided by judging panels or award organising bodies.

Voting professional players rated their peers solely based on on-pitch performance. The 26 final nominees were the players who received the highest total votes during the assessment period running from 4 August 2025 to 19 July 2026.

Players were not automatically eligible for nomination. FIFPRO enforced a minimum requirement of 30 official competitive matches played during the assessment window.

The final FIFPRO Men's World 11 lineup will be composed of 1 goalkeeper, 3 defenders, 3 midfielders, and 3 forwards, selected as the highest vote recipients in each respective position.

One additional wildcard spot will be awarded to the outfield player who received the next highest overall vote total, with no regard for their playing position.

Under this format, competition is not limited only to the forward line. Defenders and midfielders also hold equal opportunity to secure a place in the world's official best team.

For the goalkeeper position, the three nominated players are Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid), Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa / Chelsea), and David Raya (Spain / Arsenal).

The defensive category nominees are Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Virgil van Dijk, Gabriel Magalhães, Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, William Saliba, and Dayot Upamecano.

These nominated defenders represent top European clubs including Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.

Seven players are competing for midfield positions. Jude Bellingham, Bruno Fernandes, Enzo Fernández, Pedri, Declan Rice, Rodri, and Vitinha are the candidates vying for the three available midfield spots in the best XI.

Meanwhile the forward line remains one of the most anticipated categories, bringing together established stars from different leagues worldwide. Alongside Messi and Ronaldo, the forward nominees are Haaland, Kane, Mbappé, Kvaratskhelia, Olise, and Yamal.

FIFPRO is scheduled to officially announce the full 2026 Men's World 11 lineup on Monday 9 November via its official digital platforms. Voting results will confirm which players are selected as part of this year's global best team.

For both Messi and Ronaldo, this nomination offers another chance to cement their legacy among football's all-time greats. At the same time, this year's contest makes clear that a new generation has arrived, ready to claim their place on the International Football global stage.