It was expected that many City players would be included in the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11, following their 2022–2023 treble-winning season.
Since Barcelona in 2010, under the leadership of current Citizens manager Pep Guardiola, no club has been able to send six players to a single World Team of the Year edition.
22,000 professional men’s football players chose Kyle Walker, a defender and one of City’s super six, to make the World 11.
Walker remarked that receiving a vote from your peers was a tremendous honor. “They are your harshest critics, and you face them every single week in sports.”
The Impact of City on the Men’s World 11
Walker, John Stones, and Ruben Dias are the three Manchester City-born defenders on the Men’s World 11. “Last season, we gelled, whether it was John and me playing right back or Ruben, who contributed greatly to that. He gets a lot of credit because he controls a significant portion of the defense, which is likely overlooked.
Players from all over the world chose Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, two City midfielders, to start in the World 11.
Even though the Portuguese international made his debut in 2023, De Bruyne was selected for the World Team of the Year for the fourth time in a row. This happened only a few days after he finally returned from injury and helped his club overcome Newcastle United.
“In my opinion, only a select few players—like Messi and Ronaldo, for example—can be said to be in the same league as Kevin; Kevin falls into that category.
“You could feel that push, that energy, and that enthusiasm when he entered the game against Newcastle. Kevin is most effective when he’s on the ball and making passes that you wouldn’t even believe are visible to play. He gives you a lift.
Erling Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess in 2023—he scored a record 36 goals in his first Premier League season—obviously attracted the notice of his colleagues, who unanimously elected him to the World 11. Haaland was the most-voted player, having been chosen for the squad of the year by 64 percent of participants.
Walker stated of his City teammate, “He’s a very professional player.” He is the last person to leave and the first person in training.
He is 23 years old and has a calm demeanor. Alf-Inge Haaland, the father of the former Manchester City player, is a major motivator for him to play professionally, accomplish as much as he can in the game, and get started right away, just like he did the previous season when he scored a lot of goals.
“I think that speaks a lot about himself and his character that he broke the records that he did.”
Lionel Messi, Vinicius Jr., Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe make up the forward line of the World 11. Walker chose the Argentinian ace, who made a record 17 consecutive World 11 appearances, when asked which player in their heyday he would most like to play alongside.
“It would have to be Messi,” he stated. Not just because of the manager—Pep [Guardiola] talks highly of him and his aura on the field—but also because of what Julian Alvarez and I have said about him and his contributions to a team. Although I’ve had the good fortune to play against Messi, it would be extremely amazing to do so alongside him.