The 2024 FIFPRO men's XI has been announced after more than 21,000 professional men's footballers voted for their best team of the year, taking into account performances from August 2023 to July 2024.
Five Real Madrid players made the cut after the Spanish giants clinched a treble in 2023-24, winning the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.
Bellingham received the most votes in the Men's World XI, earning 11,176 from his fellow professionals following his important contributions for club and country.
The 21-year-old scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists in 42 competitive appearances for Real Madrid during the 2023-24 campaign.
Bellingham went on to score two goals and provide an assist in England's run to the Euro 2024 final, including a stoppage-time overhead kick in the last 16 against Slovakia to keep his country in the tournament.
Real Madrid are also represented in the World XI by Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Toni Kroos, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, although the latter has been included mainly for his performances in his final season with Paris Saint-Germain.
Five Premier League players named in World XI
Five Premier League players have been included in the Men's World XI, including four representatives from Manchester City.
2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has been named among the midfielders after he lifted the Premier League with Man City and won Euro 2024 with Spain.
The prolific Erling Haaland played a key part in Man City's title success, netting 27 goals in 31 top-flight appearances to finish the 2023-24 campaign as the Premier League's top scorer.
Goalkeeper Ederson and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne join their Man City teammates in the final World XI, while there is also a spot for Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk.
Lionel Messi's 17-year streak comes to an end
Unfortunately, there was disappointment for Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, who failed to make the World XI for the first time since 2006 despite recently being named the MLS MVP for 2024.
Messi also lifted the 2024 Copa America in July, but it was not enough to prevent his 17-year streak from coming to an end.
The Argentina's former rival Cristiano Ronaldo was another big name to miss the cut, while there was no place for Liverpool's in-form attacker Mohamed Salah.
FIFPRO Men's World XI in full
Goalkeeper: Ederson (Man City, Brazil)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid, Spain), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid, Germany)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Kevin De Bruyne (Man City, Belgium), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid, Germany), (Rodri (Man City, Spain)
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Man City, Norway), Kylian Mbappe (PSG/Real Madrid, France), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid, Brazil)
Written by
Ben Sully