Predicting the World XI in the Post Messi & Ronaldo Era

Goalkeeper – Gianluigi Donnarumma

Considering Gianluigi Donnarumma has already made the FIFPro World XI in 2021, at 23, it’d be completely nonsensical to not predict him taking that spot many times over the next decade or so.

What’s more, goalkeepers have much longer careers at the top level, and Donnarumma could fancy himself to get into the World XI as much as the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have throughout his career.

He’s easily the best young keeper in the world, right now, but the Italian has a major issue in proving to voters his worth each year, as he plays in the much less competitive Ligue 1 for Paris Saint-Germain.

Right-Back – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Similar to Donnarumma, Trent Alexander-Arnold has already made the World XI back in 2020 at just 21 years of age. He’s been a regular at Liverpool for the past five years, and is only getting better with each passing season.

The Englishman is already eyeing up valuable Premier League records like the most assists of all time, and although there are a plethora of talented young right-backs in the world, as of today, nobody is better than Alexander-Arnold.

Center-Back – Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt has been talked about a lot less since he began to captain Ajax at just 18 years of age. Such a feat within itself is an incredible achievement that very few players past, present and future will ever be able to do.

Much of the reason for his under-the-radar status these days is because he joined Juventus three years ago, and has only won one Serie A title after the club previously won nine in a row. At the same time, de Ligt has failed to get further than the quarter-finals in the Champions League since leaving Ajax.

Nevertheless, he’s still just 22, and the Dutchman is set to be one of the world’s best for many years to come.

Center-Back – Jules Kounde

There are a few other center-backs under the age of 25 who could have a say in the World XI for years to come, but Jules Kounde seems to be leading the way. At 23, the Sevilla man already has 133 appearances for the club, and he has only missed six of the 76 fixtures in La Liga across the past two campaigns.

Kounde also represents France regularly these days, and he’ll continue to battle with Dayot Upamecano over the coming years as one of the world’s best central defenders.

Left-Back – Alphonso Davies

One player our Canadian fans will be well aware of: Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich left-back has also already made it into the World XI, and he did so before even getting out of his teens.

Sadly for him, he’s struggled with injuries the two seasons since that 2020 inclusion, but across the next decade, there are few doubting his ability at becoming one of the best in the world at left-back.

What’s more, Davies is also the first-ever Canadian to make the official World XI.

Right-Midfield – Vinicius Jr

Vinicius Jr is already one of the world’s deadliest forwards, and his winning goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool this season is just the start of a special career to come.

The Brazilian scored 22 times and assisted 20 goals through 52 appearances in 2021/22, as he helped rocket Real Madrid to a Champions League and La Liga triumph. These are numbers you would expect of a seasoned veteran, and means Vinicius Jr is likely only scratching the surface of his true potential at just 21 years of age.

Center-Midfield – Jude Bellingham

It’s incredible to think Jude Bellingham is still just 18. The Borussia Dortmund man already has his name etched amongst the world’s best at midfield, and in reality, should he remain injury-free, Bellingham could find himself with a career at the top for the next 15+ years.

He has astonishing maturity for a teenager, and there’s not many out there who would argue against him being the best under-21 talent on the planet.

Center-Midfield – Pedri

Like Bellingham, Pedri is another talent who has rapidly moved up in the world ranks because of both his skill and maturity. At 19, the Barcelona youngster is expected to be the club’s main man and one of the world’s very best for many years to come.

Pedri has already shown his ability on the world stage by winning the prestigious Golden Boy award and the European Championship Young Player of the Tournament in 2021.

Phil Foden holds the record of the youngest player to start a #UCL game for a English side (17 years and 192 days). 🤩 pic.twitter.com/gqhbxC5BZi
— TheMCFCView (@TheMCFCView__) June 27, 2022

Left-Midfield – Phil Foden

Phil Foden already has four Premier League medals at 22 years old, and if this winning form carries on, he could end up becoming the most successful footballer England has ever seen.

Amongst an array of creative talent in the world, Foden stands out above the rest, and as long as he continues to get game time with Manchester City under the leadership of Pep Guardiola, the Englishman is expected to be right amongst the world’s best for many, many years.

Striker – Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe needs no introduction, as he’s already one of the world’s best, and in reality, is probably one of the top three players around right now. At 23, he could be in the World XI for the next decade following two inclusions already prior the age of 21.

Striker – Erling Haaland

There’s also no need to justify Erling Haaland being in the World XI right alongside Mbappe for years to come. Expect the Manchester City man to get even more praise from voters now that he’s with the Premier League champions.

Midfield Honorable Mentions