Messi Earns Record 18th World 11 Selection
FIFPRO's 2026 Men's World 11, chosen by votes from 26,317 professional footballers, includes Lionel Messi for an unprecedented 18th time.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Soccer
FIFPRO unveiled its 2026 Men's and Women's World 11 squads, with Lionel Messi selected for an 18th appearance, a record. The selection was based on votes from 26,317 professional footballers across 75 countries.
Why it matters
Messi's record inclusion extends his lead over Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 15 World 11 appearances, underscoring the longevity of elite players in the sport. The vote is determined exclusively by players, giving the selection a peer-based perspective on the game's top talent.
Messi's 18 World 11 appearances rank first, three ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo's 15, based on votes from 26,317 professional footballers in 75 countries. Spain holds the most total Men's World 11 appearances with 53, and seven clubs are represented in the 2026 selection.
The players
Lionel Messi
Argentine forward who currently plays for Inter Miami and holds the record for most World 11 appearances with 18.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portuguese forward and Messi's longtime rival, who has 15 World 11 selections.
FIFPRO
The global representative body of professional footballers, which organizes the World 11 selection through a player vote.
Lamine Yamal
Spanish winger from Barcelona who became the first player to earn two World 11 selections before turning 20.
The details
FIFPRO unveiled both its Men's and Women's 2026 World 11 teams, with the selection determined by players in a vote FIFPRO has conducted since 2005. Messi returns to the squad for the first time since 2023, while Lamine Yamal became the first player to earn two selections before turning 20.
Timeline
2005: FIFPRO began inviting players to vote for the World 11.
2023: Messi's previous World 11 selection.
2026: The 2026 Men's and Women's World 11 were unveiled.
Season Trajectory
Messi's return to the World 11 in 2026 follows his 2023 selection and extends his standing as the most-selected player in the award's history. The inclusion of a young talent like Lamine Yamal, who became the first player to earn two selections before 20, points to the award's recognition of emerging stars alongside veterans.
Messi's record inclusion adds weight to his lead over Ronaldo in the all-time World 11 standings for fans tracking career milestones. Yamal's early selection also marks him as a player whose rise is being recognized ahead of many of his peers.
The takeaway
The 2026 World 11 reflects a player-driven recognition system, with veteran longevity and early breakthroughs both earning places on the list. Messi's 18th selection underscores how sustained excellence continues to be measured in the sport.
Further reading
For more on the sport's top players and recent honors, see Soccer.
