Mariona Caldentey has been snubbed from the shortlist for the 2025 FIFPRO Women’s World 11.
Arsenal star Mariona Caldentey snubbed from FIFPRO World 11 shortlist
Caldentey is a stunning omission from the list of nominees after enjoying a stunning year with Arsenal.
The Spaniard scored 19 goals and provided 10 assists in 41 appearances for the Gunners last season.
Her performances helped Arsenal win the Women’s Champions League for the first time, beating her former side Barcelona 1-0 in the final back in May.
Caldentey’s omission is made even more surprising, as she finished runner-up to Aitana Bonmati in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
The 29-year-old was the favourite to win the award, with Bonmati’s third successive victory shocking football fans.
However, Caldentey was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year – an award voted for by her peers.
The players have spoken.
This is the shortlist for the 2025 FIFPRO Women's World 11.
The team will be revealed on 03.11.2025. pic.twitter.com/2mgV8ltkaq
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) October 27, 2025
Who selects the FIFPRO World 11 shortlist?
The World 11 is the only global player award decided exclusively by footballers, with over 26,000 professional footballers from all over the world voting for the team.
While Caldentey was snubbed by her peers, four of her Arsenal teammates did make the shortlist.
Arsenal quartet included in shortlist
Arsenal and England quartet Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Michelle Agyemang were all included in the 2025 FIFPRO World 11 shortlist.
The trio of Williamson, Kelly and Russo all played vital parts in Arsenal’s Champions League triumph last season.
Agyemang’s inclusion is surprising, despite playing a huge role for England as a ‘super-sub’ at Euro 2025.
The striker who is on loan at Brighton won the Young Player of the Tournament award at the Euros.
Caldentey scored in the final for Spain, but failed to score her penalty during their shootout defeat to England.
Meanwhile, five of Caldentey’s Spain teammates also made the shortlist.
Bonmati, Olga Carmona, Vicky Lopez, Athenea del Castillo and Patri Guijarro made the shortlist over Caldentey.
Full list of players in FIFPRO Women’s World 11 shortlist
In total, 26 players have been included on the shortlist, including eight members of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses squad from Euro 2025.
Joining Williamson, Kelly, Russo and Agyemang are Ella Toone, Alex Greenwood, Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton.
Below is a full list of players who have made the shortlist.
Goalkeepers
- Ann-Katrin Berger – Gotham FC
- Mary Earps – Paris Saint-Germain
- Hannah Hampton – Chelsea
Defenders
- Michelle Alozie – Houston Dash
- Ona Battle – Barcelona
- Millie Bright-Chelsea
- Lucy Bronze – Chelsea
- Olga Carmona – Paris Saint-Germain
- Ellie Carpenter-Chelsea
- Alex Greenwood – Manchester City
- Leah Williamson – Arsenal
Midfielders
- Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
- Ghizlane Chebbak (Al Hilal)
- Debinha (Kansas City Current)
- Patri Guijarro (Barcelona)
- Vicky Lopez (Barcelona)
- Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
- Ella Toone (Manchester United)
- Keira Walsh (Chelsea)
Forwards
- Michelle Agyemang (Arsenal/Brighton)
- Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride)
- Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
- Athenea del Castillo (Real Madrid)
- Chloe Kelly (Arsenal)
- Marta (Orlando Pride)
- Alessi Russo (Arsenal)
Reaction to Caldentey’s FIFPRO omission
Fans on social media reacted with shock to Mariona Caldentey’s omission from the shortlist.
Amee Ruszkai wrote: “No Mariona Caldentey is crazy.”
Joe Louis Monte added: “Genuinely, could Mariona Caldentey‘s omission from this be the most scandalous, bizarre, mind-blowing omission in the history of all omissions?? In what World does an absolute leading contender for the best player not make this?”
Another X user posted: “What has Earps done in 2025 to deserve a nomination?? No Caldentey, (Claudia) Pina, (Melchie) Dummornay, (Caroline Graham Hansen) CGH? Did players really put forward these nominations??”
@Boomstick79 added: “Swing and a miss. Some questionable additions. And laughable glaring omissions. *Where* is Ballon D’or runner up, Euros finalist and Champions league winner Mariona Caldentey on that list?? Yeesh.”
