2025 Best XI: Featuring Messi, Ronaldo Absent

Flashscore recently unveiled the 2025 Best XI, selected according to expert evaluations over the entire season. The list gathers numerous elite global players, showcasing their steady performances and major influence within their clubs.

As 2025 comes to a close, the global football community enters a period of reflection, reviewing the standout individuals over a turbulent 12 months of competition. Recently, Flashscore published the 2025 Best XI based on each player’s yearly form, featuring top superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, and Olise.

Notably, Lionel Messi is included in this best lineup. The Argentine forward enjoyed a successful year with Inter Miami in the U.S. In 2025, the Argentine star scored 46 goals and provided 28 assists, an astonishing record for a player nearing 40 years old. Conversely, Cristiano Ronaldo contributed 41 goals and 4 assists,but it was not enough to secure a spot.

In defense, goalkeeper Mile Svilar of Roma (average rating 7.1) is included. The central defensive trio consists of Galatasaray’s Davinson Sanchez (7.3), Benfica’s Otamendi (7.6), and Philadelphia Union’s Kai Wagner (7.7).

In midfield, the wings are guarded by two rising European young stars: Lamine Yamal (7.8) and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise (7.8). In 2025, Yamal scored 24 goals and assisted 23 times, becoming one of Europe’s most dangerous teenagers. Olise also boasts an impressive record, being named in the Bundesliga Best XI for the 2024/25 season. At central midfield, Pedri (7.5) partners with PSV’s Veerman (7.7).

Up front, the lineup includes the world’s top scorers of 2025. Kylian Mbappe (7.6) holds the left flank. The French striker netted a total of 67 goals in 2025 alone, an exceptionally high rate. Bayern Munich’s main striker Harry Kane (7.8) leads the attack with 60 goals in 2025.

Remarkably, Lionel Messi holds the highest average match rating in the team (8.3). Despite not being at his peak age, Messi still manages to make a difference with his tactical vision, playmaking ability, and decisive moments, earning him a place in the Best XI of the year.