Super Eagles Star Snubbed As FIFA Unveils 2025 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 Shortlist

The football world is buzzing after FIFA released the 2025 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 shortlist, but one name that many fans expected to see is missing — Nigeria’s Galatasaray superstar.

After a phenomenal season in the Turkish League, where he scored 32 goals in 37 appearances, helped Galatasaray lift both the League and the Cup, and secured a £70 million permanent move from Napoli, his omission from the list has sparked mixed reactions among fans.

FIFA, in collaboration with FIFPRO, announced the 26-man shortlist via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, writing:

“The 26-player shortlist for the 2025 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 – as voted by players worldwide. The team will be revealed on 03.11.2025.”

The list includes global heavyweights like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Kevin De Bruyne, among others.

2025 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 Shortlist

Goalkeepers:
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois

Defenders:
Achraf Hakimi, William Saliba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Pau Cubarsí, Marquinhos, Virgil van Dijk, Nuno Mendes

Midfielders:
Jude Bellingham, Luka Modric, Rúben Neves, Pedri, Federico Valverde, Kevin De Bruyne, Cole Palmer, Vitinha

Forwards:
Ousmane Dembele, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Mohamed Salah, Raphinha

While fans celebrated the inclusion of young stars like Lamine Yamal and Cole Palmer, many Nigerian football supporters took to social media to express their disappointment over the exclusion of the Super Eagles striker, who was instrumental in helping Nigeria qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs.

As anticipation builds, the final World 11 will be officially unveiled on November 3, 2025.

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