Picking a best XI for any team is a difficult task.
But if you’re asked to pick just 11 players from the entire football world and stuff them in an orthodox formation, it’s borderline impossible.
Luckily, this brain-twisting chore is the task of around 20,000 professional footballers, who all cast their vote for Fifa’s annual FIFPro World XI.
The result constantly leads to a mixed reaction of agreement, disagreement, outrage, happiness and social media warfare.
But who has secured their place in the annual team down the years? Let’s take a look….
2005 FIFPro World XI
Dida; Cafu, John Terry, Alessandro Nesta, Paolo Maldini; Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele, Zinedine Zidane; Samuel Eto’o, Andriy Shevchenko, Ronaldinho.
You would struggle to find an opposing team that could cope against a spine consisting of Alessandro Nesta, Zinedine Zidane and Samuel Eto’o. Not only that, but the crafty attacking play coupled with the relentless defensive attributes of Paolo Maldini and Cafu is as close to full-back perfection as you’re ever going to get.
2006 FIFPro World XI
Gianluigi Buffon; Lilian Thuram, John Terry, Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluca Zambrotta; Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, Zinedine Zidane; Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho.
Imagine the beauty of a midfield trio of Andrea Pirlo, Zidane and 2006 Kaka? Beautiful, right? Pirlo picks the ball up deep and accurately slides it to Zizou, who plays a pinpoint through ball to Kaka who’s ghosted behind the opposition’s centre-backs and executes the finish. Perfection. We haven’t even mentioned the fact that Ronaldinho, Eto’o and Thierry Henry are just watching as this move takes place. And what about that centre-back pairing of John Terry and World Cup and Ballon d’Or-winner Fabio Cannavaro!
2007 FIFPro World XI
Gianluigi Buffon; Carles Puyol, John Terry, Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Nesta; Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Cristiano Ronaldo; Ronaldinho, Didier Drogba, Lionel Messi.
Enter Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Get used to them, as they’re going to be hanging around for a bit. A foursome of Ronaldinho, Messi, Didier Drogba and Ronaldo is something a manager could only dream of. Kaka and Steven Gerrard make up the more ‘defensive’ midfield roles. So it’s a good job you have Cannavaro, Terry, Nesta and Carles Puyol at the back with Gianluigi Buffon in goal
2008 FIFPro World XI
Iker Casillas; Carles Puyol, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Sergio Ramos; Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Xavi; Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres, Cristiano Ronaldo.
This year brought Iker Casillas’ takeover, with the Spaniard replacing Buffon in goal. He’d hold onto the spot for quite some time. Fernando Torres also made his way into the XI, joining Ronaldo and Messi. Torres had an oustanding season at Liverpool, scoring 33 goals in 46 games.
You may have noticed that a little Spanish playmaker named Xavi has come in to tighten up the midfield. Keep an eye on him, he’s decent.
2009 FIFPro World XI
Iker Casillas; Dani Alves, John Terry, Nemanja Matic, Patrice Evra; Andres Iniesta, Steven Gerrard, Xavi; Lionel Messi, Fernando Torres, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Terry was really exceptional wasn’t he? The Chelsea defender made the FIFPro XI for the fifth year in a row. This year saw the emergence of Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra into the XI. Torres retained his spot alongside Ronaldo and Messi.
2010 FIFPro World XI
Iker Casillas; Maicon, Lucio, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol; Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Wesley Sneijder; Lionel Messi, David Villa, Cristiano Ronaldo.
After Inter Milan’s sensational Champions League win, Maicon, Lucio and Wesley Sneijder were all brought into the 2010 first XI. Gerard Pique had started to emerge as one of the finest central defenders in world football, and other Barcelona superstars Andres Iniesta, Xavi and David Villa were all selected. Pep Guardiola was starting to create something special at Camp Nou. This was also the first time the Premier League had no representative in the World XI. They had six in 2009, including Ronaldo, who moved from Man Utd to Real Madrid midway through the year.
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2011 FIFPro World XI
Iker Casillas; Dani Alves, Nemanja Vidic, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos; Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi; Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The team of 2011 had many of the same faces from the previous year. Iniesta, Xavi, Ronaldo and Messi were not going anywhere soon, so there was just one spot in midfield and one up front up for grabs. Xabi Alonso’s wonderful performances for Real Madrid saw him grab a place in the XI. And Wayne Rooney was introduced for the first time after a successful season at Old Trafford.
2012 FIFPro World XI
Iker Casillas; Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Marcelo; Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi; Lionel Messi, Radamel Falcao, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Radamel Falcao was putting in some high-flying performances for Atletico Madrid in 2012. He was rapidly turning into the best centre-forward in world football. The Colombian sat alongside Ronaldo and Messi in the FIFPro World XI that year. Real Madrid’s Marcelo was also brought into the defence in place of Vidic.
2013 FIFPro World XI
Manuel Neuer; Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos, Philipp Lahm; Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Franck Ribery; Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo.
A new goalkeeper took over from Casillas, who had been present in the last five teams. Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer was starting to prove himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Bayern’s impressive Treble during the 2012-13 campaign made sure that Franck Ribery and Philipp Lahm were included. It’s a bit of a surprise that this was both players’ first time in the XI.
2014 FIFPro World XI
Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, David Luiz, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva; Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos, Angel Di Maria; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Arjen Robben.
This is perhaps the most random team, with Paris Saint-Germain’s David Luiz and Angel Di Maria making the cut. Arjen Robben’s inclusion alongside Ronaldo and Messi was also slightly surprising. Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos and PSG’s Thiago Silva rightfully earned their place in the side.
2015 FIFPro World XI
Manuel Neuer; Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Thiago Silva, Marcelo; Paul Pogba, Luka Modric, Andres Iniesta; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar.
La Liga dominated the World XI again in 2015. Eight players came from the Spanish top-flight, split evenly between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The other three spots were across three different leagues. Thiago Silva represented Ligue 1, Paul Pogba, Serie A, and Manuel Neuer, the Bundesliga. In total, there were five changes from 2014’s XI, with Lahm and Robben among those to drop out. Ronaldo and Messi were included for the ninth successive year.
2016 FIFPro World XI
Manuel Neuer; Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Andres Iniesta; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Antoine Griezmmann bizarrely missed out on the XI in 2016, despite being in the top three for The Best Fifa Men’s Player. Manuel Neuer was the only player to not represent either Barcelona or Real Madrid, though Dani Alves spent the second half of 2016 at Juventus. Thiago Silva, Neymar and Pogba all dropped out of the XI from the previous season.
2017 FIFPro World XI
Gianluigi Buffon; Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Andres Iniesta; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar.
There were just three chages for the 2017 FIFPro XI. Buffon made his first appearance since 2006 after helping Juventus reach the Champions League final. Barcelona forward Neymar also regained his place from 2015, replacing Luis Suarez while Leonardo Bonucci took over from Gerard Pique.
2018 FIFPro World XI
David de Gea; Dani Alves, Raphael Varane, Serigo Ramos, Marcelo; Luka Modric, N’Golo Kante, Eden Hazard; Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo
There were five changes in 2018, with Champions League and World Cup winner Raphael Varane coming into the defence. He replaced Leonardo Bonucci, who had a bit of a fall from grace. David de Gea’s miracle season saw him pip everyone else to the goalkeeper spot. Chelsea pair Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante edged their way into the team for their World Cup exploits. Kylian Mbappe emerged from Neymar’s shadow, powered again by World Cup glory, and replaced his teammate as the third forward.
2019 FIFPro World XI
Alisson Becker; Sergio Ramos, Matthijs de Ligt, Virgil van Dijk, Marcelo; Eden Hazard, Luka Modric, Frenkie de Jong; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe
Just the four changes this time. Alisson had his first goalkeeper outing, while Sergio Ramos and Marcelo kept their spots in defence. They were joined by Virgil van Dijk — fresh from his Champions League win — and Matthijs de Ligt.
Midfield miracle Frenkie de Jong (of Ajax and then Barcelona) replaced N’Golo Kante. The front three retained their places. Even though everyone and their mum voted for Sadio Mane in their actual top threes for The Best. But, somehow, Mbappe got in ahead of him.
2020 FIFPro World XI
Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk, Alphonso Davies; Thiago Alcantara, Joshua Kimmich, Kevin De Bruyne; Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Another year, another SIX changes to the team with a lot of Liverpool and Bayern Munich players coming in for winning the Premier League and Treble respectively. Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool teammates Van Dijk and Alisson in the back line. Ramos made it 10-in-a-row and Alphonso Davies kicked Marcelo out for his role in Bayern’s dominance.
There was a completely new midfield of Thiago, Kevin De Bruyne and Joshua Kimmich, replacing Eden Hazard, Luka Modric and Frenkie de Jong. And completing a frightening attacking trio, in place of Kylian Mbappe, was Robert Lewandowski – who was also named The Best Men’s Player.
2021 FIFPro World XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma; Ruben Dias, Leonardo Bonucci, David Alaba;, N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Kevin De Bruyne; Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Just four players kept their spots from for the 2021 FIFPro World XI. And there was a new formation introduced, a very attacking 3-3-4. There’s a completely new back line with Gianluigi Donnarumma and Leonardo Bonucci honoured for their Euro 2020 win with Italy. David Alaba and Ruben Dias also made their World XI debuts. Kevin De Bruyne was the only midfielder to keep his place, with N’Golo Kante and Jorginho joining him having helped Chelsea win the Champions League. Jorginho also added the European Championships.
The formation change meant there was a new addition joining Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski. The fourth attacker was less of a man and more of an android, with Erling Haaland recognised for yet another baffling season in front of goal.
2022 FIFPro World XI
Thibaut Courtois; Joao Cancelo, Achraf Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk; Casemiro, Kevin De Bruyne, Luka Modric; Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi.
A 3-3-4 again! Just three players kept their spot in from the 2021 team after what had been a fascinating season for football. Only Messi, Haaland and De Bruyne survived. There was no Cristiano Ronaldo in the World XI for the first time since his breakthrough in 2007. Thibaut Courtois, Joao Cancelo, Achraf Hakimi, Casemiro and Karim Benzema were all debutants while Van Dijk, Modric and Mbappe returned.
2023 FIFPro World XI
Thibaut Courtois; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones; Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham; Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Junior.
Another year, another 3-3-4. Thibaut Courtois kept his spot in the XI but there was a new-look defence. And it was a full Manchester City defence, with John Stones, Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker contributing to their Champions League win. There were two more Man City players in midfield, as De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva were joined by Jude Bellingham. There was one change in attack, with Vinicius Jr replacing Karim Benzema.
2024 FIFPro World XI
Ederson; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Virgil van Dijk; Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham; Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr.
The 2024 World XI stuck with a formation including three defenders, but it was a bit more of a normal 3-4-3. Even if the players wouldn’t work. The biggest news was the end of Messi’s time in the World XI, after his move to Inter Miami. It meant that Vinicius Jr, Haaland and Mbappe formed the attack. Van Dijk was the only player to not represent either Man City or Real Madrid at some point in the year. Ederson joined Rodri and De Bruyne as Man City’s other representatives, while Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal also got their first appearances.
2025 FIFPro World XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Virgil van Dijk, Nuno Mendes; Cole Palmer, Vitinha ,Pedri, Jude Bellingham; Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe.
The latest World XI saw Donnarumma return in goal after four years out, having helped PSG to Champions League glory. Ousmane Dembele, Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha were also included from the European champions. Van Dijk kept his spot in defence, while Bellingham and Mbappe also retained their places. But there were new faces in Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Cole Palmer.