Virgil van Dijk received his 2024 FIFPRO Men’s World 11 trophy on Tuesday, marking another milestone in his illustrious career. The Liverpool and Netherlands defender earned his place in the prestigious team after being voted in by fellow professionals last month. This recognition, determined solely by players, reinforces his reputation as one of the world’s top defenders.
Over 28,000 professional footballers from 70 countries participated in the voting process, making it the only global award decided exclusively by players. The 2024 FIFPRO World 11 featured six Real Madrid stars, including the now-retired Toni Kroos, and four Manchester City players. Van Dijk stood as the only player outside those two clubs to secure a spot, making his fourth appearance in the prestigious lineup.
FIFPRO’s Director of Union and Player Relations, Benjamin van den Broek, alongside Director of Communications Alejandro Varksy and PFA CEO Maheta Molango, presented Van Dijk with his trophy. Speaking about the honor, he expressed pride in receiving recognition from his peers. He emphasized the significance of being voted in by those he competes against, acknowledging the respect and appreciation that comes with such recognition.
The new-look World 11 trophy reflects the unity and collective spirit of the team. Designed by award-winning studio xCruza in Argentina, each trophy represents the number ‘1’, signifying each player as the best in their position. When all 11 trophies come together, they form a larger structure symbolizing the entire World 11, capturing the essence of teamwork and the shared celebration of football excellence.
