The world’s best XI has been revealed by FIFA during a glittering awards ceremony.
A total of 77 of the best footballers on the planet were whittled down to just a starting 11, with fans able to cast their votes for their top performers alongside the views of a panel of experts – with the combined votes then finalising the Best World Men’s XI at FIFA’s The Best awards in Qatar. The final squad includes three players from Manchester City, including Ballon d’or winner Rodri – who is one of five English Premier League stars chosen for the all-start lineup. The midfielder suffered a potentially season ending cruciate ligament injury that coincides with Pep Guardiola’s men hitting the worst run of form of his managerial career earlier this season – and is joined in the side by two club teammates in the shape of Portuguese defender Ruben Dias and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
Arsenal defender William Saliba also makes the final XI, with the Frenchman joined by Aston Villa’s World Cup winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The rest of the team is made up entirely of Real Madrid and Barcelona players – with England star Jude Bellingham earning a spot, alongside fellow youngster Lamine Yamal – with the Barcelona youngster starring for Spain at this summer’s European Championships despite only celebrating his 17th birthday the day before the tournament’s final.
Bellingham’s Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior is in the side too – with the Brazilian also named as men’s player of the year at the ceremony, just months after boycotting the Ballon d’or awards when he discovered he wouldn’t be winning the iconic trophy. He topped the voting ahead of ten fellow nominees with 48 points, finishing ahead of Manchester City midfielder Rodri (43 points) and Real Madrid colleague Jude Bellingham (37 points).
The final spots in the side are taken up by three Real Madrid veterans, with long-serving full-back Dani Carvajal earning a place alongside his teammate at the Bernabéu Antonio Rüdiger and former star Toni Kroos – who announced his retirement from the football after this summer’s European Championships in his homeland of Germany at the age of just 34.
2024: FIFA best men’s XI: Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa/Argentina). Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid/Spain), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid/Germany), Ruben Dias (City/Portugal), William Saliba (Arsenal/France). Midfielders: Rodri (City/Spain), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid/Germany), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England). Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona/Spain), Erling Haaland (City/Norway), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid/Brazil).