GOAL’s World Class Club 2024: Lionel Messi’s membership is revoked, but Jude Bellingham receives his first invitation to football’s most exclusive brotherhood

World class… It’s an invisible but important label that separates the good from the great. But it’s such a subjective term. Every football fan has their own definition, their own criteria, which leads to endless but thoroughly entertaining debates in stadiums, dressing rooms, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs all over the world.

Last summer GOAL We decided to join in on the fun and have compiled a very exclusive list of the 25 players who we believe represent the elite of the game, the best of the best, the guys who have shown outstanding performances over a sustained period of time.

In order not to focus exclusively on the attackers – which is almost always the case with individual awards and honors – we have determined that at least three players and a maximum of nine players must be included from each position group (goalkeeper, defense, midfield and attack).

Now it’s time to decide who gets to stay at the world-class club – and who needs to be politely asked to leave. So who made this year’s list of the 25 strongest players? Find out below and express your approval – or outrage – in the comments…