Messi returns to FIFPRO World XI as Ballon d'Or winner Kane misses out
Lionel Messi has earned a place in the FIFPRO World XI for 2026, chosen by the votes of fellow footballers. He is the only Argentine representative in this year's team. The biggest surprise, however, is the omission of Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane. For the first time since the award began in 2005, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner has failed to make the World XI.
Messi has returned to the FIFPRO World XI after three editions away. In total, this is the 18th time the Inter Miami Argentine forward has made the team. He also holds the record for the most selections in the award's history, having been picked consecutively from 2007 to 2023.
His outstanding performance at the last World Cup played a key role in Messi's return in 2026. The Argentine superstar scored eight goals in eight matches and set up four more for his teammates.
Spain has the most representatives in this year's XI, with four players. They are Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya and Barcelona's three stars Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Pau Cubarsi.
Paris Saint-Germain has the most players from a single club, with three: Portuguese midfielder Vitinha, Nuno Mendes and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi. Real Madrid are represented by Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, while the remaining place went to Manchester City's Norwegian star Erling Haaland.
The most talked-about absence from the XI, though, is Harry Kane. The Bayern Munich and England forward, despite winning the Ballon d'Or, did not make the team voted for by his fellow players. Among forwards, he finished fifth with 27.6 percent of the vote.
Ahead of Kane in that category were Haaland (28.4 percent), Messi (29.5 percent), Yamal (37.4 percent) and Mbappe (46 percent).
The FIFPRO World XI has been chosen by the votes of professional footballers since 2005. In the 2026 election, 19,806 players took part, voting digitally. The vote was based on players' performances from 4 August 2025 to 19 July 2026.
Each voter had to pick the best three players in each of four positions: goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward. After the vote, the XI is made up of the highest-voted goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards, with the remaining place going to the highest-voted outfield player.
The defenders in this year's XI are Achraf Hakimi, Pau Cubarsi and Nuno Mendes. The forward line features Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
