By Jaime Uribarri
Leo Messi has been named to the 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 amid a stellar year for club and country.
Inter Miami CF‘s superstar No. 10 earned his record 18th selection on the annual men’s association football team of the year, the only global player award decided exclusively by professional soccer players.
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Messi was previously selected to every FIFPRO Men’s World 11 from 2007 to 2023, the award’s longest-ever streak.
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Goalkeeper: David Raya
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Defenders: Nuno Mendes, Pau Cubarsí, Achraf Hakimi
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Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Rodri, Vitinha
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Forwards: Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal
Messi returns to the FIFPRO World 11 shortly after finalizing another dominant regular season with Inter Miami. The 39-year-old posted an MLS-best 43 goal contributions (26g/17a) to claim a second-straight Golden Boot presented by Audi and emerged as the favorite to earn Landon Donovan MLS MVP honors for a historic third year in a row.
Internationally, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner led Argentina to this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final, setting numerous tournament records along the way.
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Soon after, the 2022 World Cup champion announced his retirement from the national team. He scored a goal and added two assists in his Argentina farewell match last month, ending his international career with a record 126g/69a in 208 matches.
Lionel Messi wins 2026 MLS Golden Boot pres. by Audi
Messi’s remarkable 2026 is far from over.
The GOAT is set to lead the reigning MLS Cup champions into the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Herons are looking to become the first back-to-back winners since the LA Galaxy in 2011-12.
Messi & Co. will take on the No. 7 Columbus Crew in a Round One Best-of-3 Series that begins on Nov. 21 at Nu Stadium (6 pm ET | Apple TV).
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Game 1: Saturday, Nov. 21 | 6 pm ET (Nu Stadium; Apple TV)
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Game 2: Friday, Nov. 27 | 8 pm ET (ScottsMiracle-Gro Field; Apple TV, FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN, RDS)
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Game 3 (if necessary): Wednesday, Dec. 2 | TBD (Nu Stadium; Apple TV)
