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"Nothing beats being voted for by other players" – Why World 11 is one of football’s most special awards
What sets the FIFPRO World 11 apart from other football accolades? It is the only global football award decided exclusively by professional footballers.
The 2026 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 and FIFPRO Women’s World 11 will be revealed on Monday 9 November, after 26,317 players from 75 countries cast their votes.
Since the World 11 was introduced in 2005, professional footballers from around the globe have selected the outstanding players in each position. FIFPRO and its affiliated player unions distribute unique links that give players access to a digital voting platform.
Discover what past and current World 11 winners – including Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze and Alexia Putellas – have said about the significance of being recognised by their fellow professionals.
Nothing beats being voted for by other players. When your peers recognise your quality, it means so much.
The World 11 is almost better than being the best player. That might sound controversial, but the World 11 is solely voted for by the players and, to me, that’s the opinion that doesn’t necessarily matter the most, but it means the most.
To be voted by your colleagues, your peers, is the highest recognition you can get. The guys that vote for you go through almost the same things you go through on a daily basis
One of the nicest things in football is being recognised by your opponents. Being recognised by your team-mates is something unique, but being recognised by your opponents is even more so, I think, because they value what you bring to the game.
I work hard every day to ensure I’m consistent; I want to perform at my highest level as often as possible. If other players recognise that, it means I am doing something right
Being part of the FIFPRO World 11 is an honour; it’s a privilege to be in this 11 with so many great team-mates. I am very grateful to be recognised by all my team-mates, who value you in this way
It’s not easy to be in this team year after year. Being in this team alongside so many top players gives me great satisfaction.
It’s probably the highest honour you can get. As players, we all go through the same thing every day: we train, we compete at the same level. For them to recognise you as one of the best is something you don't take lightly.
Being part of the FIFPRO World 11 is a great honour and to be voted by the other players is a nice feeling; they know what it takes to play the game at a high level, so to be voted by them is the best feeling.
It feels special when it’s voted for by players – it means everything. They’re the people you want to impress; they’re the people you play with every day. They’re the people that matter most to me and the people you want to do well for. I love being part of a team and, especially as a forward, I wouldn’t be able to do anything without other players around me.
