Predicting The World's Best XI In Five Years Time
SPORTbible predicts who will be in the world's best XI in five years time, once Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have retired.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland proved they are the stars of tomorrow but which players will join them in a world's best XI in 2026?
Just over 10 days ago Mbappe scored a hat-trick against Lionel Messi's Barcelona, in the Champions League last 16 first leg, and a day later Haaland scored twice for Borussia Dortmund, the same night Cristiano Ronaldo struggled against Porto. It felt like a changing of the guard.
We already knew that Mbappe and Haaland were likely to replace two of the greatest ever, as their careers come toward an end, but their performances guaranteed that the future is now.
It's not to rule our Messi and Ronaldo, who still have time and ability left in their legs, but it's unlikely they'll still be dominating the way they used to in five years time, when they're 38 and 41 respectively.
We decided to predict who will be in the world's best XI in five years time, and may end up in FIFA's FIFpro World XI come 2026.
Jan Oblak - The Atletico Madrid keeper is probably the best keeper in the world right now and it's unlikely things will change too much in the next five years. At 33-years-old he could be just hitting his peak.
Trent-Alexander Arnold - The Liverpool right back hasn't quite been at his best this season but at 22 currently he is another who will be just hitting his peak.
Raphael Varane - Virgil van Dijk can feel hard done too, but injuries do raise a question, and Varane also fits the mould of a Sergio Ramos type who won't have lost his defensive brilliance at 33.
Ruben Dias - The Manchester City centre back has made it look like he's been in the Premier League for years this season. Whether at the Etihad or elsewhere in five years time, he's only going to have got better.
Alphonso Davies - Davies may end up further up the pitch so this one is questionable probably but he showed last season just how devastating he can be at left back.
Wilfried Ndidi - Another potentially controversial pick, especially considering the available young quality in central midfield however the Leicester City midfielder is just 24, does things many don't like doing and playing brilliantly for a slightly less fashionable side. It might take a transfer but Ndidi really could be even better in half a decade.
Frenkie de Jong - Even in a poor Barcelona team the 23-year-old midfielder is proving how good a player he is. Hopefully Barca can improve at some point and he can develop in a stronger team into his full potential.
Kylian Mbappe - It pretty much goes without saying. Right now there's few better players in the world, he's only 22 and already a World Cup winner. Will he still be at PSG in five years time?
Phil Foden - Pep Guardiola might have criticised Foden's ability to play through the middle right now but at just 20 right now he's got plenty of time to learn. He's only likely to get better, and that's already a scary thought.
Joao Felix - Ansu Fati, along with several others, might feel aggrieved but Felix's ability is unquestionable at 21 and he's playing in an Atletico Madrid side that doesn't always allow him to play as his freesest self. Six goals in four games earlier in this season put Atleti top, before a recent personal dip again, but on form he's one of the best youngsters around.
Erling Haaland - Like Mbappe it goes without saying. 17 Champions League goals in just 13 appearances so far and looking like an all round goal threat with power, pace and incredible finishing ability. Could well compete with the Frenchman like Messi and Ronaldo.
Sure, there's likely to be some mistakes along the way and some of today's youngsters could overtake their counterparts but I'm sticking to my team.
Feel free to save the article and prepare to rub it in my face in 2026, but if it's because Van Dijk is still the best centre back in the world then please understand it was everyone else's fault for persuading me otherwise...
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Phil Foden, PSG, Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund, Kylian Mbappe
Ryan Sidle