FIFA The Best

Lionel Messi has been left off the 11-player shortlist for the 2025 FIFA The Best Men's Player award, marking the first time since the award's inception in 2016. Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland were also absent from the list announced on November 6. The shortlist features players from PSG and Barcelona prominently, with Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal as favorites.