Cole Palmer has been chosen for the 2025 FIFPRO World 11. This was confirmed on November 3 after more than 26,000 professional players from 68 countries voted. Palmer has never been picked for the World 11 before, and notably, he comes in during a year that is all about Paris Saint-Germain names on the men’s side.
Palmer’s award comes after a strong Club World Cup campaign in July, when he scored twice in Chelsea’s 3-0 final win over Paris Saint-Germain and was named the tournament’s best player. This showed that he was the team’s main attacking reference under Enzo Maresca.
Speaking about being named in the lineup, he said:
“Being part of the FIFPRO World 11 is obviously a great honour and to be voted by the other players is a nice feeling. They know what it takes, obviously, to play the game at a high level, so to be voted by them is the best feeling.”
When asked about another player who could reach these heights, he named his teammate:
“I think Estevao has all the ability to go and do great things; hopefully, he can do it here at Chelsea.”
The 2025 Men’s World 11, according to FIFPRO, is Donnarumma, Hakimi, Van Dijk, Nuno Mendes, Palmer, Bellingham, Pedri, Vitinha, Yamal, Mbappe, and Dembele. This is Palmer’s first time being included, and Chelsea’s first men’s representative since 2021.
Cole Palmer’s injury news and when he will be back
Chelsea have revealed that Cole Palmer is still out with a groin injury that worsened after they lost to Manchester United in September. Enzo Maresca first said that Palmer would be out for a short time on September 26.
Then, on October 17, he changed his mind and said that Palmer would be out for “six more weeks,” meaning Palmer would not be able to play in the November international window. Last week, the club reiterated that Palmer would miss upcoming games and would continue working on his own.
Reports from outside the club say that the goal is to have him back by late November or early December—several injury reports released on November 3 fall within that time frame. Before the setback, Palmer had played in four competitive games this season.
He scored 22 goals and assisted 11 others in the Premier League last season (33 goal contributions). He won the Premier League Young Player of the Season award and led Chelsea in scoring.
Maresca has said that surgery is out of the question and that the player needs to be protected while he heals. Chelsea plan to reevaluate after the international break in November, and availability will depend on how players respond to more training.