Football supporters worldwide were left stunned after Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Harry Kane were omitted from the 2025 FIFPRO Men’s World XI, despite their remarkable performances during the 2024/2025 season.
The star-studded lineup, unveiled on November 3, features an attacking trio of Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, and rising sensation Lamine Yamal. Paris Saint-Germain dominated selections, contributing five players, alongside Barcelona duo Yamal and Pedri, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, and Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer.
Although the chosen squad boasts undeniable talent, many football fans and analysts believe excluding Haaland, Salah, and Kane was a surprising oversight given their statistics:
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City): 34 goals, 5 assists
 - Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): 34 goals, 23 assists
 - Harry Kane (Bayern Munich): 41 goals, 14 assists
 
Combined, the trio contributed 151 goal involvements, underlining their influence and consistency throughout the campaign.
The FIFPRO World XI is selected through votes from professional players across the globe, where factors beyond raw numbers — such as reputation, team success, and season-defining moments — often come into play. PSG’s Champions League triumph may have played a key role in boosting the profile of their stars in the voting process.
2025 FIFPRO Men’s World XI
Goalkeeper
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain / Manchester City, Italy)
 
Defenders
- Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands)
 - Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
 - Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
 
Midfielders
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
 - Cole Palmer (Chelsea, England)
 - Pedri (Barcelona, Spain)
 - Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
 
Forwards
- Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
 - Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France)
 - Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
 

    
        








