The Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Men’s Player award are two exceptionally esteemed accolades, but the FIFPRO World 11 remains the ultimate seal of excellence for footballers. Unlike the Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Men’s Player, FIFPRO World 11 is solely chosen by current footballers. And there is hardly anything more satisfying than getting recognition from peers.
On 9th December, FIFPRO named the current best 11 in the world, featuring the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr., and Rodri. It was also the first time in almost two decades that eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi failed to make the list.
The Argentine, alongside his arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated FIFPRO 11 since it began in 2005. In the list below, we will take a quick look at the top five players who have cracked the World 11 list the most frequently.
Let’s begin!
#5 Dani Alves: 8 Appearances
Kicking off the list is former Barcelona right-back, Dani Alves. The defender appeared in the FIFPRO World 11 an impressive eight times. His first made the cut in 2009 while his last appearance came in 2018.
Until Lionel Messi surpassed him, Alves was the most decorated player of all time. He won six La Liga titles, two Ligue 1 titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, and four Copas del Rey, among other honours.
#4 Andres Iniesta: 9 Appearances
One of the finest central midfielders in the history of football, Andres Iniesta cracked the FIFPRO World 11 a whopping nine times. No midfielder has been as consistent as the 2010 FIFA World Cup winner. The Barcelona legend made his first FIFPRO appearance in 2009 and his last one came in 2017, at the end of his penultimate season with Barcelona.
Iniesta only represented Barcelona in Europe, with him ruling the Blaugrana’s midfield between the 2002-03 and 2017-18 seasons. During his stay in Catalonia, Iniesta won nine La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League trophies, and six Copas del Rey, among other accolades. He helped Barcelona to two Trebles in 2009 and 2015.
#3 Sergio Ramos: 11 Appearances
Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos is the third name on this esteemed ranking, having been named in the FIFPRO World 11 an astounding 11 times. No defender has cracked the list more times than the Spaniard. The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner, who is currently without a club, made his FIFPRO World 11 debut in 2008. His last appearance, on the other hand, came in 2020.
Ramos, who captured the limelight at Sevilla before becoming an icon at Real Madrid, has won 28 trophies across club and international football. His collection includes five La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues, two European Championships, and, of course, the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo: 15 Appearances
Falling just short of the top step, Cristiano Ronaldo has clinched the second position, having cracked the FIFPRO World 11 an eye-popping 15 times. The Portuguese icon, who represented Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus before joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, first made the list as a Red Devil in 2007. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s last appearance, meanwhile, came in 2021, courtesy of his excellent showings for Juventus.
The all-time leading scorer in men’s football (916 goals), Ronaldo has won a whopping 33 trophies in his career. In his collection are five UEFA Champions League trophies, one European Championship, and seven league titles, among other honours.
#1 Lionel Messi: 17 Appearances
Arguably the greatest footballer in history, Lionel Messi made a record 17 consecutive FIFPRO World 11 appearances. The Argentine’s streak, which finally ended earlier in December, started all the way back in 2007.
Messi, who currently plies his trade at Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami, is the most decorated footballer of all time, having amassed 45 team trophies throughout his legendary career. The record-eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has won 10 La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues, two Ligue 1 titles, and seven Copas del Rey, among other honours. The 37-year-old has helped his country to two Copa America trophies and one FIFA World Cup (2022).
