GOAL takes a look at six first-time FIFPRO World 11 nominees, with some big names making their debuts on the 2024 shortlist
The footballing world has been lucky in recent years, with so many top players performing at their peak for so long. There are many nominees on this year's FIFPRO Men's World 11 shortlist with multiple acknowledgments under their belt. But at some point, the next generation has to come through.
For some, such as Phil Foden, a first time nomination has perhaps come a little late. But for the majority of the six first-time nominees, everything seems to be coming together at exactly the right time, with many years of promise to come.
No nominee is guaranteed a spot among the final 11 winners, of course (the 2024 winners will be revealed next week). But a glance at the ages here, ranging from 17-24, suggests that the select group might be award contenders for the foreseeable future.
GOAL looks at the first-time nominees for the FIFPRO Men's World 11, how they got here, and why there could be further nominations in their future.
Getty ImagesJeremie Frimpong, Bayer Leverkusen
One for the purists! Jeremie Frimpong was a crucial part of Xabi Alonso's immensely successful Bayer Leverkusen team, serving as a valuable dynamic attacking presence as a right wing back. His nine goals and nine assists in the Bundesliga alone are part of the reason why the German side broke their "Neverkusen" curse.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesWilliam Saliba, Arsenal
The best center back in the Premier League? He's certainly up there. The attacking players may get the plaudits for Arsenal, but it's their rock solid defense that have made them perennial title contenders. Saliba is the Rolls Royce at the heart of it all, forming a formidable partnership with Gabriel at the back. With the duo bossing it, Arsenal conceded just 29 goals in the league last season.
GettyPhil Foden, Manchester City
It's quite incredible that it's taken Phil Foden this long to get voted onto the shortlist. Then again, it did seem as if last year was when it finally came together for the man Pep Guardiola once likened to Andres Iniesta. Erling Haaland did all of the goalscoring for City last year, but Foden provided pretty much everything else, putting up his best attacking numbers to date and winning the PFA Player of the Year.
GettyJamal Musiala, Bayern Munich
What a class of young midfielders Europe has these days. Jude Bellingham, Florian Wirtz and Foden would be enough. But throw Musiala in, and the next generation looks bright. Bayern may have gone without a trophy last season, but none of that can be blamed on the former Chelsea academy talent, who was magnificent throughout. He scored 12 and assisted eight to complete a breakout year. More honors are sure to come.
