The shortlists for the 2024 FIFPro World Player of the Year have been announced, including two familiar rivals, superstars Messi and Ronaldo, but notably missing Liverpool’s shining striker Salah.

The FIFPro men’s and women’s all-star squads were voted for by players, showing superstars Messi and Ronaldo are still respected enough by their peers to make the final 26-player shortlist.

The Premier League dominates the men’s list of 11, while nine Three Lions players are nominated for the women’s team. Notably, superstars Messi and Ronaldo (aged 37 and 39) are the only two stars nominated who play outside Europe, with the Inter Miami and Argentina captain nominated for the 18th time.

Messi currently plays for Inter Miami in the US Major League Soccer, while Ronaldo stars for Al Nassr in the Saudi Arabian professional league. This is the Argentine’s 18th nomination, extending his record as the most nominated player in the history of the award, with Ronaldo following closely behind with 16 nominations.

Superstars Messi and Ronaldo have appeared on the FIFPro Team of the Year nominations again. Photo: GETTY.

Premier League players dominate the men’s shortlist with 11 English players, but there is no place for Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Seven Premier League nominees from Manchester City following their Premier League title triumph include: Ederson, Ruben Dias, Kyle Walker, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland.

Joining City’s seven Premier League players is Cole Palmer, who is on the shortlist for the first time since moving to Chelsea from the Etihad Stadium in August 2023. Only Real Madrid have more players on the shortlist with eight, including stars Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

Virgil van Dijk appears, as does Arsenal’s William Saliba and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez. Bayern Munich star Harry Kane and Madrid’s Jude Bellingham are the other English players named in the list.

Messi has 18 times and Ronaldo has 16 times been nominated in the best team of the year. Photo: GETTY.

The women’s team also saw a strong showing from England stars with nine selections, including four defenders in Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter.

Goalkeeper Mary Earps, midfielders Ella Toone and Keira Walsh, and forwards Lauren James and Alessia Russo are the other Three Lions on the list. Aitana Bonmati, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner representing Spain and Barcelona, is certain to be on the final shortlist for the prestigious award.