The official 2025 FIFPro Men’s World XI has been unveiled — and as always, it’s a lineup decided not by pundits, fans, or journalists, but by the players themselves. Over 20,000 professional footballers across 68 countries cast their votes to honour the best performers of the year, making this recognition one of the most authentic awards in world football.
The 2025 FIFPro Men’s World XI
Goalkeeper
Defenders
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / PSG)
Nuno Mendes (Portugal / PSG)
Midfielders
Jude Bellingham (England / Real Madrid)
Vitinha (Portugal / PSG)
Forwards
Lamine Yamal (Spain / Barcelona)
Kylian Mbappé (France / Real Madrid)
Ousmane Dembélé (France / PSG)
Youth Meets Experience
This year’s World XI paints a beautiful picture of football’s generational shift.
The lineup celebrates both experience and the rise of new talent. At just 18 years old, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal makes history as the youngest player ever to be named in the FIFPro World XI. His inclusion is a clear sign that a new era of football brilliance has arrived.
Meanwhile, seasoned names like Virgil van Dijk and Achraf Hakimi maintain their places, proving that consistency still holds immense value in the modern game.
Midfield Brilliance and English Influence
The midfield lineup tells a strong story of England’s football revival.
Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer have been sensational this year — one commanding games from midfield for Real Madrid, the other lighting up the Premier League with flair and composure for Chelsea. Their inclusion highlights England’s growing influence on the world stage.
Spanish magician Pedri and Portuguese technician Vitinha complete the quartet — both representing the creativity and intelligence that define modern midfield play.
The Attacking Trio: Fearless and Unstoppable
The forward line is pure dynamite.
Kylian Mbappé, now wearing Real Madrid white, leads the attack — a player whose name is synonymous with speed, goals, and leadership. Alongside him is Ousmane Dembélé, whose unpredictable brilliance and creativity have made him one of PSG’s most dangerous outlets.
And then there’s Lamine Yamal, the teenage sensation who continues to defy expectations, dazzling fans with confidence, composure, and magic beyond his years.
Donnarumma, ever-reliable, guards the post once again. His leadership and reflexes for PSG and Italy kept him among the elite this year.
In front of him, Hakimi, Van Dijk, and Mendes form a defensive trio blending pace, power, and precision. Van Dijk’s calm authority remains unmatched, while Mendes’ debut in the World XI proves that the future of defending is bright.
From Madrid to Paris, London to Barcelona, this lineup reflects how football’s best continue to inspire across continents.
PSG dominates with four players.
Real Madrid and Barcelona each boast two.
Chelsea, Liverpool, and individual brilliance from others fill the rest.
This balance shows that while Europe’s giants still rule, the faces leading the charge are getting younger, bolder, and more dynamic.
Unlike other awards, the FIFPro World XI stands apart because it’s voted by players themselves — those who share the pitch, who feel the tackles, who understand the pressure. To be chosen by your peers is the ultimate sign of respect in football.
As FIFPro notes, the selection period covered matches from 15 July 2024 to 3 August 2025, making this lineup a reflection of an entire season’s consistency, quality, and influence.
The 2025 FIFPro World XI is more than just a team — it’s a statement about the evolution of football.
It celebrates the legends who continue to shine and the young stars who are already shaping the game’s future.
From Mbappé’s leadership to Yamal’s fearlessness, from Bellingham’s dominance to Van Dijk’s authority — this lineup reminds us that football’s beauty lies in diversity, unity, and the shared respect among professionals.
In the end, this is not just the team of the year.
It’s the team chosen by the players — and that makes it the most genuine recognition of excellence in world football.
