Team of the Year 2025: Selection Overview

To curate the Team of the Year, we utilized our internal player evaluation system, similar to how we approach assembling our Team of the Week. However, we imposed additional criteria for this year’s roster.

Expanded Leagues Considered

In 2025, we elevated the selection process by expanding from the traditional ‘Big Five’ leagues in Europe to include the top eight leagues as well as the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer (MLS), totaling ten leagues most prominently covered.

Throughout the year, all leagues represented in our Team of the Year have been actively highlighted in various Team of the Week releases.

The eligibility cutoff was set to mid-December, requiring players to have participated in at least 30 league matches during the calendar year.

Below is the complete roster for the Team of the Year 2025:

Goalkeeper

Mile Svilar (Roma) – 7.1 Average Match Rating

Svilar, who still reflects on a tough moment from the 2017 Europa League final, has matured into a dependable goalkeeper by 2025. Now 26, his development has been marked by an average rating of 7.1 throughout the year. With an impressive 19 clean sheets in 35 Serie A matches, he played a key role in ensuring AS Roma remained competitive, notably securing 1-0 victories in 13 matches and standing out with performances against Fiorentina and Cagliari.

Defence

Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray) – 7.3

Sanchez’s transition from Tottenham to Galatasaray has proven successful, contributing to back-to-back league titles in Turkey. In 2025, he has become an integral part of the team’s defense while also showcasing his offensive capabilities with three goals and two assists. His consistency is highlighted by winning the player of the match award four times in the Turkish Super Lig.

Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica) – 7.6

Since moving from Manchester City to Benfica, Otamendi has been pivotal for his team, showcasing a resurgence in form at age 37. With a stellar rating of 7.6, he has excelled as both a defender and a leader, helping to secure the Liga Portugal title and bolstering his chances for inclusion in future Team of the Year selections.

Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) – 7.7

Wagner has been a mainstay at Philadelphia Union since 2019, providing remarkable offensive support as an attacking left-back. In 2025, he amassed 11 regular-season assists and added another during playoff matches, playing a significant role in the team’s quest for the MLS Cup.

Midfield

Michael Olise (Bayern Munich) – 7.8

Olise continues to impress in his second season at Bayern Munich, with six goals and eight assists, showcasing his refined technique and ability to maintain control under pressure. He has excelled in scoring from challenging positions, thereby surpassing his expected goals metrics.

Joey Veerman (PSV) – 7.7

Veerman has made notable contributions to PSV’s midfield this year, securing eight goals and nine assists in the Eredivisie. His performance has been crucial in leading PSV to a significant lead in the league standings.

Pedri (Barcelona) – 7.5

Often compared to past legends, Pedri has proven essential to Barcelona’s midfield, demonstrating exceptional ball control and passing ability. His contributions have helped Barcelona secure a significant advantage over rivals Real Madrid this season.

Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – 7.8

Yamal’s emergence onto the world stage has been nothing short of spectacular, showcasing his ability to impact high-stakes matches significantly. Despite being just 18, he has already accumulated 14 goals and 12 assists in La Liga, representing a remarkable talent in the league.

Forwards

Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – 8.3

Even after winning the World Cup in 2022, Messi continues to astound in the MLS, achieving 35 goals and 28 assists in 34 matches in 2025. His ability to influence games and remain a key player demonstrates his enduring excellence.

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – 7.8

Kane’s transfer to Bayern has yielded outstanding results; his prolific scoring has led to an impressive tally of 34 goals and seven assists in 2025. His role was pivotal in helping Bayern reclaim the Bundesliga title.

Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 7.6

Despite some team setbacks, Mbappé’s individual performance soared as he matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record with 59 goals across competitions in a calendar year. His versatility and frightening pace have made him a key asset for Real Madrid this season.

This concludes the overview of the Team of the Year for 2025, showcasing the incredible talents who have distinguished themselves over the past season.