Football just served up a plot twist nobody ordered. Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, yet he is not in the FIFPRO Men’s World 11. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, is back in for a record 18th time. So what happened? Here is the full story, the voting numbers, and why the Messi inclusion makes more sense than it first looks.
What Happened in the FIFPRO Men’s World 11?
FIFPRO revealed the team on Monday after votes from male professionals across 73 countries, judging performances from August 4, 2025 to July 19, 2026. Kane made the 26-man shortlist but missed the final line-up, and Cristiano Ronaldo missed out too.
The forward line is Messi, Yamal, Mbappe and Haaland. At 19, Lamine Yamal became the first player named to the World 11 twice as a teenager.
Why Was Messi Included?
The answer is simple: the World Cup. Messi scored eight goals to lead Argentina to the final, where they lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time. That run fell inside the voting window, and players clearly remembered it.
He collected 29.5 per cent of the forward vote. It is his first selection since 2023 and a record-extending 18th. He announced his international retirement after the final, so this may be a fitting farewell nod from his peers.
Why Did Harry Kane Miss Out?
It came down to a razor-thin margin. Kane finished fifth among forwards, behind Mbappe, Yamal, Messi and Haaland. He took 27.6 per cent of the vote. FootyRoom puts the final margin at 0.8 percentage points.
Only three forwards are picked per ballot, so every vote counts and there is no room for a fifth name. Mbappe finished second to Kane for the Ballon d’Or but drew far more support from fellow players.
Ballon d’Or vs FIFPRO: Why the Results Differ
This is the key point. The Ballon d’Or is voted by journalists, while the World 11 is decided entirely by players. One rewards a full-season story. The other captures what professionals admire on the pitch.
Kane led Bayern to the Bundesliga title and captained England to the World Cup semi-finals. He scored 73 goals for club and country. The numbers are elite. They just did not translate into peer votes this time.
Fans noticed. Many insisted Kane was robbed, since it is reportedly the first time a reigning Ballon d’Or winner has missed the team. Fair debate, but the vote is the vote.
The Full 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11
Raya in goal; Hakimi, Cubarsi and Mendes in defence; Rodri, Vitinha and Jude Bellingham in midfield; Messi, Yamal, Mbappe and Haaland up front.
The Verdict
Was Kane unlucky? Absolutely. Was Messi undeserving? Not with a World Cup final run behind him. The FIFPRO vote reminds us that football is about opinions, and these ones came from the players themselves.
You can also check out our YouTube for more sport news @ShapHub
