Some fans online are displeased with Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham's inclusion in the FIFPRO Best Men's XI 2025. The 2025 Best Awards ceremony took place at Fairmont Katara Hall, Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, December 16.
The 2025 Best Awards announced the Best Men's XI, an 11-man team of the players voted best for the 2024-25 season. Gianluigi Donnarumma is in goal, with Nuno Mendes, Virgil van Dijk, Willian Pacho, and Achraf Hakimi in defense. Pedri, Vitinha, Bellingham, and Cole Palmer form the midfield with Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele up front.
Fans online have reacted to this Best Men's XI, but they are displeased with Bellingham's inclusion in the list. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote:
"FIFA'S DAYLIGHT ROBBERY"
Another wrote:
"What tf did Bellingham do last season??"
Here are some other reactions:
Bellingham struggled to make a big impact last season, as Real Madrid only won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. They lost all domestic cups to arch-rivals Barcelona. The Englishman scored 15 goals and provided 15 assists in 58 games across competitions in the 2024-25 campaign.
FIFPRO Best Men's XI 2025 star Jude Bellingham opens up on Real Madrid's struggles this season
Los Blancos have had an underwhelming 2025-26 campaign, as they sit second in LaLiga standings, four points behind Barcelona. They have won just three of their last nine games across competitions. Hence, there has been speculation about head coach Xabi Alonso's future at Real Madrid.
However, following their 2-1 defeat against Manchester City in the Champions League on December 10, Bellingham backed the Spaniard. He said (h/t TNT Sports):
"I personally have a great relationship with him [Xabi Alonso] and I know a lot of the boys do too. After that run of draws, we had some great conversations internally and felt we'd put that form behind us before the last couple of games. No one is downing tools, no one complaining or moaning. We take it on the chin and keep fighting.
"We're still trying to work it out within the changing room regardless of what goes on outside. We know that's not helpful... But in the changing room we have what we need to turn it around, we need maybe a bit of luck or maybe something we need to discuss internally. I have faith this season isn't over just because we're in a bad run of form," he added.
Bellingham has recorded four goals and four assists in 18 games across competitions this season for Real Madrid.