FIFA Best World XI: Messi Beats Ronaldo Again to Set Incredible Record

• Lionel Messi was named in the FIFPRO World XI
• It's the 16th time the Argentina star has been selected for the squad
• Cristiano Ronaldo has earned selections 15 times

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has set another record after he earned his 16th inclusion in FIFPRO Men’s World 11.

The 35-year-old was also named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI alongside the likes of Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema.

As voted for by their footballing colleagues, there was also no inclusion for five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr last year December, previously shared this record with Messi. He missed out on the roster for the first time since 2006.

Betis playmaker Fekir out for season with knee injury

Football

Who made the FIFRPO 11?

For the first time ever, the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Achraf Hakimi, Joao Cancelo, Casemiro and Benzema all made the cut for the 2022 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11.

Luka Modric was also named in the squad - his sixth time – a figure bettered only by Dani Alves (8), Andres Iniesta (9), Sergio Ramos (11), Ronaldo (15) and Messi (16).

Mbappe made a return to the XI after missing out in 2020 and 2021, whiles Manchester City's Haaland made it back-to-back selections.

Virgil van Dijk and Kevin De Bruyne, with their third inclusions apiece, completed the side.

Kroos claims Messi deserves award

Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder, Toni Kroos has categorically stated that Lionel Messi deserves to win FIFA’s The Best award for the best Men’s player, Marca reports.

Kroos claimed Messi deserves to win the award based on his individual performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup which he won for the first time in his career with Argentina.

Messi beats Mbappe to FIFA Best prize, Putellas claims women's award

Football

Messi who won the Golden Ball in Qatar, scored seven goals, including a brace in the final, and also provided three assists in the competition.

Benzema aims another dig at FIFA

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Karim Benzema’s unhappiness over The Best FIFA awards continues.

The Real Madrid striker was nominated for The Best Men’s Player award alongside Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi but was beaten to it by the Argentinian.

The French attacker took to Instagram a day after the awards evening to share a photo of a post listing all his achievements during the judging period for The Best awards.