Lionel Messi was excluded from the 2024 FIFPro World XI team, with Rodri Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe being included. This is for the first time in 17 years that Messi has been excluded.
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Argentina superstar Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo were among the big names excluded from the 2024 FIFPro Men’s World XI team that was released on Monday. This marks for the first time in 17 years that Messi, a FIFA World Cup winner, fails to make the final FIFPro World XI team. Ronaldo, on the other hand, had been part of the team for 16 years prior to 2023. The last time Messi was not part of the FIFPro World XI was in 2006.
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As far as the 2023-24 season is concerned, Messi, who plats for Inter Miami in the Major League Soccer (MLS), helped Argentina retain the Copa America title. Messi also propelled Inter Miami to the MLS Supporters’ Shield title this year. The 37-year-old netted 23 goals and provided 13 assists for Inter Miami in the 2024 season. Inter Miami, however, went down to Atlanta United in the MLS Cup playoffs.
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Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah also misses out on the final FIFPro World XI team whereas Real Madrid’s French forward Kylian Mbappe makes the list. Apart from Mbappe, other notable players to make the list are Mbappe’s Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham, Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and the duo’s Manchester City teammate Ederson. Toni Kroos, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal also make the final list of the 2024 FIFPro World XI.
FIFPro World XI 2024 team:
Goalkeeper: Ederson (Manchester City, Brazil)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid, Spain), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid, Germany)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid, Germany), Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid, France), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil)
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