Luka Modric once again in World 11 contention

• The Croatian is one of 26 finalists in the running for the 2024 FIFPRO Men's World 11

• The World 11 is the only global football award decided exclusively by the players 

• The 2024 World 11 will be revealed on Monday 9 December on FIFPRO's digital channels 

At 39 years of age, Luka Modric remains an inescapable reference for the world of football, especially amongst his fellow professionals. That is why, despite playing fewer games than in previous seasons, Modric's peers have voted him onto the shortlist of 26 finalists for the 2024 FIFPRO Men's World 11.

The period for selecting the performances of the candidates for the team of the year is between 21 August 2023 and 14 July 2024. Three midfielders will be selected for the World 11, with the possibility of a fourth if the eleventh player is also a midfielder.

The team is made up of the goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three forwards with the most votes in their position make it into the World 11. The 11th spot is assigned to the outfield player with the next highest number of votes.

Modric will have to compete for a place in the midfield with fellow finalists Jude Bellingham, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Jamal Musiala, Rodri and Federico Valverde.

Modric's 2023/24 season

Carlo Ancelotti decided to manage Modric's minutes during the season. In fact, he averaged 53 minutes in the 32 La Liga games he played and only 37 for each of the 11 Champions League games in which he appeared. However, his talent and intelligence were ever-present in Madrid's midfield, helping Real become champions of La Liga, Europe and the Spanish Super Cup in the 2023/24 season.

The European title allowed him – along with Dani Carvajal – to equal the record of Real legend Paco Gento: the three of them have won six European Cups each.

Playing at EURO 2024 with Croatia, Modric set another record: he is the oldest player to score a goal at Europe's top international tournament. He scored against Italy in the group stage at the age of 38 years and 289 days.

Modric's individual achievements 2023/24

• Croatian Footballer of the Year 2023
• Football Oscar for the best Croatian footballer 2023 (awarded by the players' union HUNS)

Modric in the World 11

Modric shares sixth place with Xavi and Marcelo among the players with the most appearances in the history of the Men's World 11; the three of them have a total of six selections. The Croatian made the team on five consecutive occasions – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2017, 2018 and 2019 – while 2022 was the last time he was in the team of the year.

Modric's first contact with the award was in 2012, when he was on the shortlist of 55, but the ideal midfield chosen was all Spanish: Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Iniesta. He was again shortlisted in 2014 but had to wait until the 2015 edition to finally make the World 11, voted by his fellow professionals.

Post of the Year

When will the World 11 be announced?

The 2024 FIFPRO Men's World 11 will be officially announced on 9 December at 16:00 CET. It will be made up of the 11 players – out of the 26 on the final list – who receive the most votes in their position.

This year, all winners will be presented with a new trophy that truly captures the collective spirit of the World 11.