World football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to command the admiration and respect of their peers, even though they no longer play for European clubs. This recognition was demonstrated by their nominations to the list of 26 players shortlisted for the World Team of the Year by the world football players’ union, FIFPRO.
At 37 and 39 respectively, Messi and Ronaldo are the only players not playing for European clubs to make the list. The other 24 nominees include players from England, Germany, Spain and France, including Kylian Mbappé, the only Frenchman on the team after a season at Paris Saint-Germain.
No players from Italian, South American or African clubs have been selected for the list. Eight Real Madrid players, including Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, and seven Manchester City players, including Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, have been nominated.
17-year-old Lamine Yamal, the star of Spain’s Euro victory, was also honoured by the union’s members around the world.
Messi, who plays in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, and Ronaldo, in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, will find out on December 9 if they are part of the World XI team.
According to FIFPRO, the final team will consist of the goalkeeper with the most votes, as well as the top three defenders, midfielders and forwards. The final spot goes to the outfield player with the most votes.
The Netherlands-based union said 28,000 players from 70 different countries expressed their choice through their vote.
In such a context, the image of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2022 continues to shine beyond borders, elevating football to a level of transcendence and universality that goes beyond mere club and league rivalries.