Haaland Triumphs Over Kane in FIFPRO Men’s World 11 Selection
Erling Haaland has surpassed Harry Kane in earning a place in the 2025-26 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 squad.
During Pep Guardiola’s last season as manager of Manchester City, which saw the team clinch both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup despite failing to secure the Premier League title, Haaland recorded an impressive 38 goals across all competitions.
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The Norwegian striker netted 27 of those goals in the Premier League, earning him the Golden Boot for the third consecutive year, matching the achievements of Alan Shearer and Harry Kane.
As he heads into the international break in November with a strong start, having scored nine league goals already, many speculate that he could achieve a fourth consecutive Golden Boot, a milestone only previously reached by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Liverpool great Mohamed Salah.
One notable omission from the FIFPRO Men’s World 11 was Harry Kane, the Bayern Munich striker who scored an impressive 73 goals for both club and country last season.
The FIFPRO World 11, which recognizes the best players both men and women, is unique as it is voted on by players worldwide, making it the only global football award determined solely by athletes.
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In contrast to the Men’s Ballon d’Or, which is selected by a panel of journalists from the top 100 countries in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, the FIFPRO World 11 incorporates nearly 20,000 players’ votes annually.
Haaland stood out as the sole representative from Manchester City in this year’s selection, highlighting his significant contribution to a successful final year for Guardiola with the club.
Who else made the FIFPRO Men’s World 11?
While Kane’s absence stood out, the rest of the squad included familiar and highly regarded names, although some selections may spark debate.
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Lionel Messi’s inclusion has ignited conversation, as many believe that his selection stems from his prior achievements and overall impact on football rather than his performance in the last season. However, the stature of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains undeniable, and he joined the attacking ranks alongside Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, and Haaland.
Midfield positions featured Jude Bellingham, former Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Vitinha. Meanwhile, the defense was secured by Nuno Mendes, Pau Cubarsi, and Achraf Hakimi, with David Raya in goal.
