Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been included in the 2024 FIFPRO Men’s World XI shortlist, released by FIFPRO on Monday, December 2. There are 26 nominees in the list, as voted by a record 28000 players from 70 nations.

The FIFPRO Men’s World XI came into existence in 2005 and is selected by professional footballers across the world. Players are free to build their teams, submitting their options via a digital voting platform. The ones who receive the most votes make their way into the final XI.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be at the pinnacle of their career, but they are still among the creme de la creme of World Football. It is, therefore, not a wonder to see them among the nominees this year, which includes some of the best players in the world

The three goalkeepers among the nominees are Ederson, Emiliano Martinez, and Manuel Neuer. Virgil van Dijk, Dani Carvajal, Ruben Dias, Antonio Rudiger, Jeremie Frimpong, William Saliba, and Kyle Walker make up the defenders.

Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Kevin De Bruyne, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Jamal Musiala, Federico Valverde and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri are the midfielders in the shortlist.

Apart from Messi and Ronaldo, the other forwards among the nominees are Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, Vinicius Junior, and Barcelona whizkid Lamine Yamal. Interestingly, Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka are not among the nominees.

How many times have Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi been included in the FIFPRO Men’s World XI?

Lionel Messi has made the most appearances in the FIFPRO Men’s World XI to date. The Argentinean has been in the coveted XI every year since 2007, with a record 17 consecutive appearances.

Cristiano Ronaldo has made the cut on 15 occasions – from 2007 to 2021 – but has been missing in the past two years. However, the Portuguese has the chance to make his way back into the XI this year.

The superstar duo has been in impressive form of late too. Lionel Messi finished the campaign with Inter Miami with 23 goals and 13 assists from 25 games. He won the Supporters’ Shield and the Copa America with Argentina this summer.

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, crossed 900 goals for club and country earlier this year. The 39-year-old has scored 15 goals and set up three more from 18 games across competitions this season for Al-Nassr.