With 2024 marking the 20th edition of the FIFPRO Men's World 11, GOAL ranks the five best versions ever assembled
Part of the fun of sports is the debate. How would this player do against this player? Could this team beat this one? Which era is best? The games are the best, of course, but all of the discussion surrounding them is equally as enjoyable and, at times, equally as fierce.
Which brings us the FIFPRO Men's World 11. Since 2005, global soccer players have voted for their World 11, assembling the greatest collections of players in the game – the 2024 winners will be announced next week. These teams have included icons of the game and legends that have won it all. But if you could pit any of these "teams" against one another, who would win?
One caveat: we are looking at balance here, not just talent. Soccer isn't just about throwing superstars on the field. It's about building a cohesive unit that can play together. With that in mind, which are the five greatest FIFPRO Men's World 11 squads ever assembled? GOAL takes a look.
FIFPRO World 115FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2020
An absolutely ludicrous team of attacking talent.
You have Ronaldo, Messi and Robert Lewandowski in the attack, with the Polish star fresh off a dominant campaign for Bayern Munich. To supplement that, you have two of the best attacking fullbacks we've seen in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alphonso Davies. Oh, you want to build through the midfield? How about Kevin De Bruyne and Thiago, with Joshua Kimmich cleaning up messes with Sergio Ramos and Virgil van Dijk behind him and Alisson in goal?
This team would score goal after goal after goal but, even so, it's fair to question whether they could match the defensive balance that some of the teams above them would possess. Still, if you want excitement, this is the team for you.
AdvertisementFIFPRO World 11 4FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2011
Of course, the attacking trio of Ronaldo, Messi and Wayne Rooney will get the attention, but 2011 was the period of Spanish dominance, and you can see that in this team.
The midfield contains three of La Roja's greatest ever, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Xabi Alonso, so you'd know there'd be no chemistry issues there. Sergio Ramos and Pique are in the defense, while Iker Casillas is in goal. Add in Dani Alves, comfortable with everyone we've named due to his role at Barcelona, and a no-nonsense defender in Nemanja Vidic and you've got a complete team.
This team feels like it captures an era, one that many look back on as when the sport was at its very best.
FIFPRO World 113FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2007
Ronaldo as a midfielder?!? Well, yeah, but when you look at the pieces around this team, you understand why it's on this list.
Yes, this team is attack-heavy, with Ronaldo joining Kaka and Steven Gerrard in midfield and Messi leading the line alongside Didier Drogba and Ronaldinho. However, when you have defenders like Carles Puyol, Fabio Cannavarro, John Terry and Alessandro Nesta in the team, you might just be able to get away with it.
This team has pace, technique, power and creativity. It can come at you in waves and, with the four players staying back, that might just be enough.
FIFPRO World 112FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2005
It's very fair to argue that this team has a Gerrard-sized hole, given his heroics in Istanbul but, even without the Liverpool icon, this group is stacked. There's a reason he didn't make it, after all.
We have to start with the defense, which is probably as close to perfect as you can get. A centerback pairing of Nesta and Terry is as formidable as it gets, while Paulo Maldini's presence on the left balances out Cafu's attacking ambition on the right. In the midfield, you have Claude Makelele cleaning up for Frank Lampard and Zinedine Zidane, creating a balanced trio. And, in the attack, you have the pace of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o to aid the finishing of Andriy Shevchenko.
In reality, this team is perhaps the best balanced. Others may have more talent but, if you're playing an actual match, this might just be the best one.