Kane's World XI omission prompts a debate about the voters

ESPN FC's panel questions Messi's inclusion, while viewers ask why the players' choices should follow the Ballon d'Or.

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ESPN FC Story of November 11, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The video drew 680 comments in its first day, 7.1 times a normal first day on this channel (96).

‘IT MAKES NO SENSE’ Harry Kane becomes 1st Ballon d’Or winner not to make FIFPRO World XI | ESPN FC

Things we can learn from the video

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0:01ESPN presents Kane as the first Ballon d'Or winner omitted from the FIFPRO World XI.
0:30Nicol would replace Messi with Kane; Hislop later agrees.
1:47Melchiot suggests admiration for Messi's legacy influenced the players' votes.
3:20Nicol argues Rice deserved a midfield place ahead of Rodri.
5:58Robson chooses Rice, Bellingham and Pedri for midfield, prompting Thomas to point out Vitinha's omission.
8:08Hislop defends David Raya's selection while considering Joan García and Unai Simón.

"I would have Harry Kane over Messi," Steve Nicol says, making his preferred change to the FIFPRO World XI clear almost immediately. Shaka Hislop agrees. In ESPN FC's comment section, though, the discussion turns toward a different question: whose judgment should carry more weight?

The segment examines Kane's omission despite his Ballon d'Or win, with ESPN identifying him as the award's first winner not to make the World XI. Those honors come from different electorates: journalists vote for the Ballon d'Or, while professional players choose the FIFPRO team. Several viewers seize on that distinction, arguing that the players' selections deserve to stand on their own rather than match the other award.

The upload drew about 680 comments in its first day, roughly seven times the channel's usual response to a regular video. Its views were ordinary for ESPN FC. The unusual part was how much there was to discuss beneath it.

Mario Melchiot suggests that admiration for Messi's legacy influenced players' votes. Viewers counter by pointing to international tournament performances, questioning Haaland's place as well as Messi's, and challenging the assumption that Kane's individual award settles the selection argument.

The panel doesn't stop at the forwards. Nicol makes a case for Declan Rice over Rodri, Stewart Robson proposes his own midfield, and Dan Thomas catches an omission in that discussion too: Vitinha, who actually made the team.

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What viewers say

FIFPRO awards should be more prestigious than Ballon d'Or cos pro footballers vote for the former, exclusively
@amehgodwin9120See it on YouTube
They are calling Messi, what is Halland doing Ahead of Kane
@HusnieolicSee it on YouTube

Public comments from the video's page on YouTube