The glittering FIFA Best Awards ceremony, held in Doha, Qatar on December 16, delivered its usual mix of celebration and surprise, with several Premier League stars receiving top honours while other big names were conspicuously overlooked.
Premier League Presence and Notable Omissions
The prestigious FIFPRO Men's World XI for 2025 featured two standout performers from England's top flight. Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk were selected for their exceptional contributions throughout the season, representing the Premier League's elite talent on the global stage.
However, the selection panel's decisions raised eyebrows with one glaring omission. Manchester City's prolific striker Erling Haaland was shockingly left out of the World XI, despite netting an impressive 34 goals across all competitions for his club in the 2024/25 campaign. His teammate, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, did secure a spot, adding to the puzzle of Haaland's exclusion.
English talent was further recognised with Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham joining Palmer in the Best Men's XI. Yet, another elite goalscorer, Harry Kane, was also passed over. The Bayern Munich forward had a remarkable season, scoring 41 goals, but it wasn't enough to earn him a place among the award winners.
Major Award Winners Across the Board
The night's biggest individual prize, the Best Men's Player award, went to Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele. His pivotal role in PSG's historic quadruple-winning season, which included Champions League and Ligue 1 glory, made him a standout choice.
On the women's side, Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati claimed the top award following a stellar year. Her influential performances were crucial for both her club's run to the Women's Champions League final and Spain's journey to the European Championship final.
The coaching awards also recognised monumental achievements. England manager Sarina Wiegman was named Best Women's Coach after leading the Lionesses to Euro 2025 victory, marking the first time a senior England team has retained a major international trophy. Her squad is largely composed of Women's Super League players.
Completing a superb night for PSG, their manager Luis Enrique secured the Best Men's Coach award. He masterminded the club's unprecedented quadruple, seeing off strong competition from the likes of Arne Slot and Hansi Flick.
Puskas Award and Final Takeaways
The award for the best goal of the year, the FIFA Puskas Award, was given to Santiago Montiel of Independiente for a spectacular overhead kick. In second place was Declan Rice's free-kick for Arsenal against Real Madrid, with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal taking third.
The 2025 FIFA Best Awards ultimately highlighted a year of incredible team success for PSG and international glory for England, while sparking debate over the snubbing of some of football's most lethal forwards. The recognition for Palmer and Van Dijk ensures the Premier League's quality remains in the global spotlight, even as questions linger over the criteria for individual accolades.
