GENEVA (AP) -- Lionel Messi's peers gave him one more appearance in the FIFPRO World XI lineup Monday after nearly 20,000 players voted for their best team in a poll organized by the global union.
At age 39, the Argentina icon was elected to the team as part of a four-superstar attack alongside Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal. Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane missed out.
This is Messi's 18th selection to the World XI, and he was last chosen in 2023.
The Inter Miami forward was also the only men's World XI selection playing for a club outside Europe. Paris Saint-Germain's Moroccan right back Achraf Hakimi was the only other selection representing a national team outside Europe.
Spain's World Cup champion squads dominated, with four players, including 19-year-old Yamal, voted onto the men's team and five onto the Women's World XI, including three-time Ballon d'Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí, also announced Monday by the Netherlands-based union.
The women's team also had five players from European champion England and none from the United States for another year. FIFPRO said more than 6,500 female players from 64 countries voted.
Orlando Pride and Zambia forward Barbra Banda was the only team member with a connection to Africa or the Americas.
The combined ages of Barcelona pair Yamal and defender Pau Cubarsí add up to a couple of days fewer than Messi's 39 years and four months. The World XI has a third Barcelona and Spain player in Rodri, who signed from Manchester City after winning the FIFA Golden Ball as the best player at the World Cup.
Goalkeeper David Raya was a backup for Spain, though he was elected to the World XI for his performances with Arsenal, the Premier League winner and Champions League finalist.
Two-time Champions League winner PSG had three players selected: Hakimi was joined by left back Nuno Mendes and midfielder Vitinha.
Jude Bellingham's selection alongside Mbappe gave Real Madrid two picks.
Zambia's Banda was also in the 2025 women's lineup, though she was joined then by Moroccan midfielder Ghizlane Chebbak. The 2024 team also included Banda and two South Americans, Brazilian great Marta and Colombia's Linda Caicedo.
The last US player to be voted onto the team was Alex Morgan in 2023.
European champion Barcelona provided five players to the 2026 team. Putellas and defender Mapi León have both moved to London City Lionesses since Barcelona's latest Women's Champions League title in May.
Defender Irene Paredes and forward Claudia Pina completed the contingent from 2023 Women's World Cup winner Spain.
The five players from European champion England were goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and defender Lucy Bronze of Chelsea, Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood, Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone and Arsenal forward Alessia Russo. Bronze earned a record ninth selection to the team, which was first elected in 2015.
