Harry Kane has excelled at Bayern Munich since his move from Tottenham – but his dazzling form has not been recognised by his fellow pros this season.
The former Spurs hitman is one of the top names in world football who has not been listed among the Fifpro XI nominations this year in what is a major omission.
As Kane was also harshly snubbed in the recent Ballon d’Or list.
The 26 man shortlist to make the starting XI of the prestigious squad are names which have been picked from professionals who have deemed their colleagues’ efforts stellar.
According to reports there have been, this year, as many as 60,000 pros who have submitted their votes of three players who have impressed most between August 2024 and the same month in 2025.
Fifpro XI squad and big name players missing from shortlist
Kane, 32, had a terrific season last term with 49 goals in all competitions for club and country from 62 appearances.
However, it is said his form this term not included fell outside of the voting window and therefore he was posted missing from the list which included Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo despite the pair playing in an alleged “lesser league”.
But who else is missing from the list of 26 players considered among the best the world has to offer?
And which players have made the cut?
We’ll begin with the obvious and aforementioned…
Harry Kane
We have obviously mentioned the England captain already but it seems baffling that his efforts in the Bundesliga did not warrant a spot.
His goals helped bring the Bundesliga title back to the Allianz Arena while he also lifted the Supercup but that wasn’t enough to get him involved among the elite.
Might feel hard done by considering the previously mentioned Messi and Ronaldo still perhaps creeping into the squad based on reputations. With all due respect.
Gabriel
The Arsenal defender has been declared “best in the world” by some but the recent polling of players seems to contradict that statement.
Brazil’s experienced centre-half is behind William Saliba who DID make the cut but it could be argued that the 27-year-old is more – or at least similarly – deserving of a spot.
Granted this season’s dominance does not count as it is outside of the window but he was very good last year, too.
Bukayo Saka
The 24-year-old may have been plagued by injury but he still managed 12 goals and 14 assists in all competitions from 37 appearances for Arsenal in the 2024/5 campaign.
Considering the likes of Cole Palmer are involved despite Chelsea’s fourth placed finish last term behind Arsenal’s second, Saka can perhaps feel aggrieved at failing to make the list.
Declan Rice
The central midfielder pulls a lot of the strings for Arsenal in their engine room and he was rewarded for that with a spot on the Ballon d’Or list at 27th.
His free-kicks against Real Madrid in particular were a highlight in the Champions League last season but, again, his Premier League and domestic performances for the Gunners were also mightily impressive.
Rice often goes about his business quietly which might work against him but he played 52 times last season with nine goals and 10 assists and he does the dirty part of the game well, too.
Maybe an overlooked element of the game that Rice does so well.
Scott McTominay
Scotland’s main man was exceptional in Serie A last season with Napoli.
The former Manchester United midfielder proved there’s life after Old Trafford with his Ballon d’Or nomination where he finished 18th on the list of the prestigious group.
The 28-year-old smashed in 13 goals in all competitions while providing six assists in the same number of matches which amounted to a total of 39 for the club.
But it was the player’s leadership which shone through alongside his talents and capabilities on the pitch with McTominay often coming up with massive goals at vital moments for the team.
Robert Lewandowski
Barcelona’s striker had a strong season last term despite sitting at the ripe old age of 37.
Robert Lewandowski pictured playing for Barcelona in a pre-season friendly in 2024
Still finding the net with ease, Lewandowski finished narrowly above McTominay in the Ballon d’Or list at 17th and he buried 44 goals for the Catalan giants from just 58 outings.
An incredible feat for the veteran who retired from international duty with Poland to focus on his club football.
Viktor Gyokeres
Joined Arsenal in the summer but his Sporting CP form was still seemingly ignored by his fellow pros.
The Swedish frontman notched a quite incredible 54 goals in 52 games for the Portuguese giants and he chipped in with his fair share of 13 assists, too.
Hasn’t set the world alight at Arsenal yet but that would not have come into it within the voting window anyway.
Fifpro XI 26-man shortlist in full
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool, Brazil), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid, Belgium), Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Manchester City, Italy).
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool/Real Madrid, England), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain), Achraf Hakimi (PSG, Morocco), Nuno Mendes (PSG, Portugal), Marquinhos (PSG, Brazil), William Saliba (Arsenal, France).
William Saliba pictured playing for France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City/Napoli, Belgium), Cole Palmer (Chelsea, England), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England), Luka Modric (Real Madrid/AC Milan, Croatia), Joao Neves (PSG, Portugal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea, England), Pedri (Barcelona, Spain), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid, Uruguay), Vitinha (PSG, Portugal).
Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (PSG, France), Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France), Raphinha (Barcelona, Brazil), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, Portugal).
