Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, and football legend Lionel Messi, captain of Inter Miami in the United States, are among 24 players competing for a place in the best team in world football this year. The list was announced by the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) on Monday.
More than 19,000 football players around the world chose a list of 26 players, from which the best 11 will be selected on November 9.
Ronaldo and his longtime rival Messi, the Inter Miami star, are the only two players from outside Europe on the list.
The goalkeepers included on the list are Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa and Chelsea), and David Raya (Arsenal).
In defense are Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea and Real Madrid), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Gabriel (Arsenal), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), William Saliba (Arsenal), and Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
In midfield are Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Enzo Fernández (Chelsea and Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rodri (Manchester City and Barcelona), and Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain).
Alongside Ronaldo and Messi, the attack line includes Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), and Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).
