Most FIFA FIFPRO World 11 Selections: Messi Extends Lead Over Ronaldo As Record Run Continues to 17

• Lionel Messi added another record to his collection with his inclusion in the 2023 FIFPRO Men's World 11
• The Argentine star has been named to the prestigious FIFPRO list in each of the last 17 years
• Messi extended his lead over Ronaldo, who was not named in the World 11 for the 2nd year in succession

Lionel Messi stands alone.

He made history on Monday when he was included in the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11.

Sports Brief looks at the players with the most FIFPRO World 11 selections as Messi extends his record yet again.

Most FIFPRO Men’s World 11 Selections

1. Lionel Messi (17 selections)

Messi made the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World XI list for the 17th year in succession, extending his record and his lead over Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.

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He was the only player outside Europe’s top leagues to make the list, with the Inter Miami star joining Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Junior in the lineup’s forward line.

The last time the Argentine legend missed out on a selection was back in 2006, when Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, and Samuel Eto’o were named as the top forwards.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (15 selections)

Ronaldo once held the record alongside Messi, with the Portuguese star making the FIFPRO Men’s World XI list 15 straight times from 2007-2021.

He was included in the lineup as a member of Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.

A disastrous World Cup campaign in 2022 and a move to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Nassr caused voters to not include him in the World XI the past two years, per Goal.com.

Ronaldo fans argue that he was a more deserving member of the World XI in 2023 than Messi, as he scored the most goals last year.

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3. Sergio Ramos (11 selections)

Sergio Ramos holds the record for most FIFPRO World 11 selections for a defender, with the Spanish star making the list 11 times during his time with Real Madrid.

He first made the World 11 in 2008 after Real won the La Liga that year.

Ramos then became a permanent fixture on the list the following decade, making the FIFPRO World XI 10 straight times from 2011 to 2020.

4. Andres Iniesta (9 selections)

Iniesta was part of a Barcelona team that wreaked havoc in Spain and Europe in the late 2000s and 2010s.

Voters recognised his contribution to that top side, naming him to the FIFPRO Men’s World XI list nine straight times from 2009 to 2017.

5. Dani Alves (8 selections)

Alves has the fifth-most FIFPRO selections, with the Brazilian defender included in the World 11 eight times in a 10-year span from 2009 to 2018.

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He made the list as a member of Barcelona in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2016. He was included in the World XI as a Juventus player in 2017 and as a PSG member in 2018.

Why Messi was absent from FIFA ceremony

Sports Brief recently reported on why Messi missed the FIFA Best Award ceremony.

He was announced as the Best Men's Player of the Year.

Sources close to the 36-year-old said the reason for his absence was that Messi did not want to break his pre-season training with Inter Miami.