The 2025 FIFPRO World XI nominees were announced on Monday and the shortlist left a number of established performers off the list. Several omissions have prompted debate over which players deserved recognition.

Harry Kane was one of the most surprising names absent. He led the Bundesliga in scoring last season, finished with 41 goals in all competitions and won his first major trophy. Kane also finished fifth in the European Golden Boot race behind Kylian Mbappé, Viktor Gyökeres, Mohamed Salah and Robert Lewandowski. The shortlist included two of those names and excluded two, making his omission notable given his scoring numbers.

The exclusion of Gabriel also raised eyebrows. “It’s honestly preference comparing Gabriel and William Saliba, but for many who watched Arsenal closely the Brazilian was arguably the better of the two last season.” The piece highlights Gabriel’s role as a defensive leader who also poses a significant threat from set pieces and notes he is being spoken of as a potential player of the season for the current campaign.

Wojciech Szczęsny was another overlooked name. He returned from retirement midseason to join Barcelona in crisis and made his debut on Jan. 4. By the end of the campaign he had added three more trophies as Barcelona completed a first domestic treble. He subsequently earned a new contract extending his stay through 2027.

Liverpool’s midfield pairing also suffered from the voting. The article points to Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch being left out and argues both had strong claims. Mac Allister missed only three Premier League games last season, contributed 10 goal involvements and was an important part of the title-winning engine room.

Finally, Moisés Caicedo was highlighted as a major snub. Caicedo played every Premier League match last season as Chelsea secured a top-four finish under Enzo Maresca, scored in the UEFA Conference League final and played a major role in Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup victory over the summer.

These five absences underline the difficult choices in assembling a World XI and why the 2025 shortlist has drawn criticism.

Bayern Munich have acknowledged active interest in the centre-back market after their director of sports held discussions with the agent of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi. The meeting in Munich has been reported as an initial contact as Bayern weigh options to reinforce their defence.

Max Eberl was asked about the contact in a recent interview with DAZN. He did not name Guéhi directly but made clear Bayern are looking for a new central defender. “It’s absolutely clear that we as Bayern Munich are exploring the market,” he explained.

Eberl stressed that the club’s immediate priority remains securing the future of Dayot Upamecano. “Our clear goal is to extend [Dayot Upamecano]’s contract. That’s our ultimate goal. If that doesn’t work out, we have to be prepared. We would be foolish not to. That’s the reason.

“I’ve not confirmed anything, but we are active in the market.”

Both Guéhi and Upamecano are reported to be in the final year of their contracts, a situation that increases the likelihood of movement when the window opens. Bayern’s search for reinforcements is also tied to long-running speculation around Kim Min-jae’s future; if he were to leave, the club would face an immediate need for another centre back.

Liverpool and Real Madrid are mentioned among admirers of Upamecano in the current reports, while Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté is noted as another defender whose expiring contract places him in the same group of players attracting attention. Konaté’s past team connection with Upamecano at RB Leipzig is highlighted as context for the overlapping interest.

For now, Bayern present a cautious public line: prioritise a contract extension for an existing player while keeping the market under review. Crystal Palace, and the other clubs linked to those defenders, will be watching how negotiations and potential exits shape the coming transfer window.

Harry Kane has wished Tottenham Hotspur well as speculation swirls over a possible return, but the forward appears settled in Munich and focused on the immediate targets at Bayern.

Reports have suggested Kane can trigger a €65 million (£56.6 million, $75.6 million) release clause next summer if notice is submitted by the end of January. That possibility has prompted talk of a move back to Spurs — who finally ended a 17-year trophy drought last season — while Manchester United and Barcelona have also been linked.

New Spurs boss Thomas Frank publicly said Kane would be welcome to return. The player himself, however, made clear his current priorities lie elsewhere. “I’m not sure [if I’ll go back],” Kane told the Daily Mail when quizzed on Spurs. “I’m very happy here in Munich. [Leaving] is not something I’m thinking about. It’ll always be ‘we’ [with Spurs] because I spent my whole life there. I’m a fan of them and will always watch them and see how they’re getting on. They will always be a part of my life for sure but as for now, I’m loving it here.”

Kane enjoyed seeing former team-mate Son Heung-min lift the Europa League trophy and retains friends among the players and staff at Tottenham. “[Winning the Europa League] was big for everyone…hopefully they can push on and win more,” he said.

For now Kane is intent on delivering for Bayern. He spoke of a clear ambition to convert opportunities into trophies for the reigning Bundesliga champions and pointed to the chance of success across domestic cups and Europe. “We’ve got a great chance for all the trophies this year. Whenever you start a season with Bayern, you’re favourites. We haven’t had great cup runs since I’ve been here so we want to try and put that right,” Kane explained. “Then in the Champions League, it’s still early stages but ultimately it’s about trying to win the competition. And going into the World Cup, you want to be at your best. ]

Turning 33 in July, Kane is already planning his focus on Bayern and the international stage next summer.