There was no room for Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo in the 2025 FIFPRO World XI despite a terrific 2024/25 campaign.
Cole Palmer was included in the FIFPRO World XI, while his England teammate Jude Bellingham has made the cut.
However, while Palmer definitely deserved his place, you can certainly debate Bellingham’s.
Out of the Real Madrid superstar and Caicedo, the latter would have been a more worthy inclusion going off last term.
Chelsea players celebrate goal against Brentford
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo was more influential and successful than Jude Bellingham last season
Bellingham was phenomenal in his first year at Real Madrid, helping the Spanish giants to win both the Champions League and La Liga.
In total, the attacker scored 23 goals in 42 appearances, netting 19 times in the league. However, last season, he was just not at that level as his attacking numbers dropped.
For example, during the 2024/25 campaign, Bellingham could only score nine goals in La Liga and 15 times overall.
In contrast, Caicedo went up another gear and played a pivotal role in Chelsea winning the Club World Cup and Conference League.
Simply put, the Ecuadorian was more influential than Bellingham and had a more successful season than the 22-year-old, who could only get his hands on the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Ultimately, Chelsea would not have survived without Caicedo last term. The Ecuador international put out every fire for his side, making three tackles per game in the Premier League, which was the highest average in Enzo Maresca’s squad (via WhoScored).
Real Madrid, on the other hand, probably could have coped without Bellingham, who could not fire them to Champions League and La Liga glory this time around.
Since last season, Chelsea’s star midfielder has only gone from strength to strength. Maresca recently heaped praise on Caicedo, claiming that he is now one of the two best defensive midfielders in the world.
Chelsea players celebrate goal against Brentford
Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images
Complete FIFPRO World XI midfield
Despite being attacking players, Palmer and Bellingham were included in the FIFPRO World XI’s midfield, not its forward line.
Instead, the places there went to Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.
Pedri and Vitinha completed the midfield, slotting in alongside Palmer and Bellingham.
If Caicedo maintains the form that he is in, though, it would not be a shock to see him make the team next year.