Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes Oldest FIFPRO World 11 Nominee

Cristiano Ronaldo has become the oldest player ever nominated for the FIFPRO Men’s World 11 at the age of 41, earning a spot on the 26-man shortlist for the 2026 edition of the award. The announcement was made on November 2 by FIFPRO, the global footballers’ union.

Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, is recognized for his remarkable career spanning over two decades, continuing to receive accolades from fellow professionals. He is nominated alongside Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Lamine Yamal.

His inclusion is significant as the FIFPRO World 11 is determined solely by votes from professional footballers, highlighting peer recognition. This nomination marks Ronaldo's return to the shortlist after missing recent editions, with his last nomination in 2021.

He has been selected 15 times in the award's history, second only to Messi's 17 selections. The final team will be announced on November 9, with voting participation from 19,806 professional male footballers across 73 countries.