Lionel Messi has been named to the 2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11, earning his record 18th selection to the annual team of the year voted on exclusively by professional soccer players. Inter Miami CF's No. 10 was previously selected to every FIFPRO Men's World 11 from 2007 to 2023, the award's longest-ever streak.
The 2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11 includes goalkeeper David Raya; defenders Nuno Mendes, Pau Cubarsí and Achraf Hakimi; midfielders Jude Bellingham, Rodri and Vitinha; and forwards Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Messi and Lamine Yamal.
Messi's selection comes after another dominant regular season with Inter Miami. The 39-year-old posted an MLS-best 43 goal contributions (26 goals, 17 assists) to claim a second-straight Golden Boot presented by Audi and has emerged as the favorite to win Landon Donovan MLS MVP honors for a historic third consecutive year.
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. 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, closing out his international career with a record 126 goals and 69 assists in 208 matches.
MLS Cup Quest Continues
Messi's 2026 campaign is far from over. He 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, with the Herons looking to become the first team to win back-to-back MLS Cups since the LA Galaxy in 2011-12.
Inter Miami will face the No. 7 seed Columbus Crew in a Round One best-of-three series beginning Nov. 21 at Nu Stadium.
