What happened: Lionel Messi earned a nomination to the 26-player shortlist for the 2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11. The selection was decided by 19,806 professional men's footballers voting worldwide.

Why it matters: The nomination underscores Messi's enduring standing among his global peers across international competition. Securing a place on the final World 11 roster would extend his all-time record of appearances in the peer-selected lineup.

What to watch: The final 11-player lineup will be unveiled following the conclusion of voting tabulation.