Ademola Lookman and other Nigerian football stars were notably missing from FIFPRO’s 2024 Men’s World XI final shortlist, unveiled on Monday. The 26-player list celebrates the top-performing footballers globally, as voted exclusively by professional players.
This year’s nominations were determined by over 21,000 men’s footballers from 70 countries, evaluating performances between August 21, 2023, and July 14, 2024. Despite Lookman’s impressive season in Serie A, no Nigerian player made the cut.
The shortlist includes players from football powerhouses like Brazil, Argentina, and England, reflecting the intense competition for this prestigious honor.
- Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Ederson (Brazil), and Manuel Neuer (Germany)
- Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Ruben Dias, and Kyle Walker lead a Premier League-dominated category.
- Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Kevin De Bruyne, and Luka Modric feature alongside rising stars Jamal Musiala and Federico Valverde.
- Forwards: Global icons Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappé share the spotlight with emerging talents like Lamine Yamal and Cole Palmer.
FIFPRO emphasized the unique nature of the award, being the only global honor decided entirely by professional players. To qualify, nominees must have played at least 30 official matches during the evaluation period.
“The goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards with the most votes will make the World XI, with the final spot going to the next highest-ranked outfield player,” FIFPRO explained.
The World XI winners will be announced on December 9, 2024, via FIFPRO’s digital platforms.
