Messi honored by colleagues

Lionel Messi’s peers gave him one more appearance in the FIFPRO World XI lineup on Monday after almost 20,000 players voted for their best team in a poll organized by the global athlete’s union.

At age 39, the Argentina player was elected to the team as part a four-superstar attack alongside Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal. Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane missed out.

This is Messi’s 18th year appearing in the XI, last being chosen in 2023.

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Austin FC during their Match on April 4 in Miami.

Photo: Reuters

The Inter Miami forward was the only men’s World XI selection playing for a club outside Europe. Paris Saint-Germain’s Morocco right back Achraf Hakimi was the only other selection from a national team outside Europe.

Spain’s World Cup champion squads dominated with four players including 19-year-old Yamal voted on the men’s team and five on the Women’s World XI, including three-time Ballon d’Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, also announced Monday by the Netherlands-based union.

The women’s team had five players from European champion England and none again from the US. FIFPRO said more than 6,500 female players from 64 countries voted.

Orlando Pride and Zambia forward Barbra Banda was the only team member with an African or North and South American connection.

The combined age of Barcelona pair Yamal and defender Pau Cubarsi adds up to a couple of days less than Messi’s 39 years and 4 months. The World XI has a third Barcelona and Spain player in Rodri, who signed from Manchester City after winning the FIFA Golden Ball trophy as best player at the World Cup.

Goalkeeper David Raya was a backup for Spain, though he won election to the World XI for his performances with Arsenal, the Premier League winner and Champions League finalist.

Two-time Champions League winner PSG had three players: Hakimi was joined by left back Nuno Mendes and midfielder Vitinha.

Jude Bellingham’s selection with Mbappe gave Real Madrid two picks.

Zambia’s Banda was also in last year’s women’s lineup, though she was joined then by Morocco midfielder Ghizlane Chebbak. The 2024 team included Banda and two South Americans, Brazil great Marta and Colombia’s Linda Caicedo.

The last US player to be voted in was Alex Morgan in the 2023 team.

European champion Barcelona provided five players to this year’s team. Putellas and defender Mapi Leon have moved to London City Lionesses since Barcelona’s Women’s Champions League title in May.

Defender Irene Paredes and forward Claudia Pina completed the contingent from 2023 Women’s World Cup winner Spain.

The quintet from European champion England was goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and defender Lucy Bronze from Chelsea, Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood, Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone and Arsenal forward Alessia Russo. Bronze earned a record ninth selection in the team that was first elected in 2015.