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Barcelona ace Robert Lewandowski has named three of his teammates as his picks for the 2025 FIFA The Best Men's Player of the Year Award. The Poland international cast his votes as captain of his national team, revealing his choices to claim the award this year.
FIFA published the voting patterns for the award, revealing the votes of every national team captain on their website. Lewandowski heavily favoured his Barcelona teammates Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri, as he named them as his top three picks. The 37-year-old had 18-year-old Yamal as the world's best player, with Raphinha in second place and Pedri in third place.
Barcelona enjoyed a very fine season under Hansi Flick in 2024-25, and all of Lewandowski, Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri played starring roles. La Blaugrana won the domestic treble in swashbuckling style, with the front three of Yamal, Raphinha, and Lewandowski registering significant goal contributions.
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Lamine Yamal is considered in some quarters as being the world's best player due to his outrageous talent and precociousness. The Spain international finished second to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) start Ousmane Dembele in this year's Ballon d'Or and The Best FIFA Men's awards.
Two of Robert Lewandowski's picks earned places in The Best Men's XI for 2025, somewhat justifying his selection. The former Bayern Munich striker has struggled with injuries this term but has managed to score eight times in 12 league appearances for the Spanish giants.
Barcelona stars voted into The Best FIFA Men's XI for 2025
Reigning LaLiga champions Barcelona were well-represented in this year's The Best FIFA Men's XI after impressing in 2025. The duo of Pedri and Lamine Yamal made it into the XI together for the first time after they played key roles for the Spanish giants in the past year.
Forward Yamal dazzled for club and country in the 2024-25 season before finishing in second place, only behind Ousmane Dembele for this year's Ballon d'Or. The 18-year-old won the Kopa Trophy for a second successive year and made it into The Best FIFA XI for a second year running, as well.
Pedri makes his first appearance in the XI aged 23 after playing 59 times across all competitions as Barcelona won LaLiga, Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa. He also starred for Spain alongside Yamal as they reached the final of the UEFA Nations League, where they lost to Portugal on penalties.
Raphinha was a curious omission from the XI after he posted hugely impressive numbers for La Blaugrana in the 2024-25 season. He scored 38 goals and provided 24 assists across all competitions, and was left out of the XI.
