Lamine Yamal makes history at 19 but suffers Nations League setback with Spain
Lamine Yamal has made football history at just 19 years of age, becoming the first player ever selected in the FIFPRO Men's World 11 twice before turning 20. Barcelona superstar Yamal was named in the 2026 FIFPRO World 11, earning recognition from his fellow professionals following another remarkable year for club and country.
The Spanish teenager, who also featured in the 2025 team, has achieved something no other footballer has managed in the award's history. His selection came after 19,806 professional players from 73 countries voted for the world's best performers, with Yamal joining Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in a star-studded attacking line-up.
However, Yamal's latest milestone has coincided with an injury setback that has ruled him out of Spain's upcoming UEFA Nations League clash against Czechia. Yamal's second consecutive selection follows an outstanding 2025-26 campaign in which he helped Barcelona win LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup, while also playing a significant role in Spain's FIFA World Cup triumph.
He scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists across 53 appearances for club and country during the season. Yamal was also named LaLiga's Most Valuable Player.
Yamal was one of three Barcelona players selected in the FIFPRO World 11 alongside Pau Cubarsi and Rodri, while Inter Miami veteran and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi returned to the team for the first time since 2023. The Argentine extended his record to 18 appearances, while 2026 Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane was a notable omission.
2026 FIFPRO Men's World 11 Goalkeeper David Raya (Arsenal, Spain) Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain) Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco) Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal) Midfielders Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England) Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona) Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal) Forwards Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway) Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France) Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina) Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain) Why is Lamine Yamal missing Spain's Nations League clash? Despite his historic achievement, Yamal will miss Spain's trip to Prague to face Czechia on November 12 (November 13 AEDT).
Yamal reported discomfort in his right knee following Barcelona's 2-1 La Liga victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday (Monday AEDT). The teen sensation, who assisted Fermin Lopez's winning goal, underwent medical examinations before a decision was made to keep him in Barcelona to continue his recovery.
The Spanish Football Federation confirmed he would join Luis de la Fuente's squad later than originally planned. However, Yamal is expected to be available for Spain's final Nations League group-stage fixture against England on November 15 (November 16 AEDT), at Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium.
Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal will also miss the Czechia match as he recovers from illness. Spain enter the November international window top of Nations League Group A3 with 12 points from four matches, three clear of England.