- FIFA and FIFPRO reveal Men's and Women's World 11 at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London, England
- Over 28,000 professional footballers voted for their team of the year
- The World 11 is the only global player award decided exclusively by professional footballers
Over 28,000 professional footballers voted for the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 and FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11, which were both revealed at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London, England on Monday.
Since 2005, FIFPRO has invited the world’s professional footballers to choose their World 11. It is the only global player award decided exclusively by footballers.
FIFPRO rounds-up some of the most frequently asked questions around the World 11, including which player received the most votes from their fellow professionals, who narrowly missed the cut, and which players and clubs boast the most World 11 appearances.
Who received the most World 11 votes?
Nearly 22,000 men’s football players voted for their team of the year. Erling Haaland was the player who received the most FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 votes from his fellow professionals; the Manchester City and Norway striker was selected 14,011 times meaning 64 percent of players voted for him. Behind Haaland in second was City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne who received 11,296 selections, followed by Lionel Messi with 10,968.
Forty-five percent of players voted Manchester United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps into the FIFA FIFPRO FIFPRO Women’s World 11, making her the most selected player with 2,755 votes. Behind Earps was Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati with 2,534. A total of 6,075 women’s football players made selections for the World 11.
Who narrowly missed out on the World 11?
Manchester City’s Champions League scoring hero Rodri narrowly missed out on making the World 11 – and was pipped by team-mate Bernardo Silva by just 13 votes. Silva’s 5,299 votes compared to Rodri’s 5,286 meant the Portugal international completed the World 11’s midfield line-up alongside Jude Bellingham and Kevin De Bruyne.
Alexandra Popp missed the cut of the Women’s World 11 by just 48 votes. The Wolfsburg and Germany striker, who was selected 1,055 times, meant she was behind fourth and final World 11 forward Lauren James (1,103).
How many World 11 appearances does Lionel Messi now have?
Lionel Messi set a record of 17 successive appearances by being named in the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11. The Argentina ace has been voted in every World 11 by his fellow peers since 2007, a year in which he appeared in the team of the year alongside the likes of Fabio Cannavaro, Steven Gerrard and Ronaldinho.
Who made the World 11 for the first time?
Five players made the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 for the first time after being voted into the 2023 team of the year: Kyle Walker, John Stones, Jude Bellingham, Bernardo Silva and Vincius Jr. The FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11, meanwhile, saw seven debutants – all from Spain or England: Women’s World Cup winners Aitana Bonmati and Olga Carmona were joined by Lionesses Mary Earps, Alex Greenwood, Ella Toone, Alessia Russo and Lauren James.
Which club has the most World 11 appearances?
Six of Manchester City’s treble-winning side were voted into the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 by fellow professional footballers from around the globe – making them the most represented men’s club in the 2023 team of the year. Meanwhile, the inclusion of Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr means Real Madrid (54) have overtaken Barcelona (52) as the club with the most all-time World 11 appearances.
Barcelona and Manchester United each had three players in the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11, making them this year’s most represented women’s clubs. Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh were Barca’s representatives, while Mary Earps, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo (now at Arsenal) also gave United three appearances.
What was the World 11 voting period?
The FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11 winners are the players who received the most votes from their peers for their performances from 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023 inclusive. Players in the World 11 must have appeared in at least 23 official matches during that period.
The FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 winners are the players who received the most votes from their peers for their performances from 1 August 2022 to 20 August 2023 inclusive. Players in the World 11 must have appeared in at least 25 official matches during that period.
