Why the 2024-25 Best XI Left Out Mbappe, Vitinha & Mendes—And Why It Makes Sense
The Lineup That Stunned the World
I’ll admit: when I first saw this 2024-25 Best XI, my jaw dropped. Not because of who was included—but because of who wasn’t.
No Mbappé in attack? No Vitinha anchoring midfield? And Mendes? On the left flank instead of the right? My brain short-circuited. But after 37 hours of data scrubbing and watching every game from La Liga to Serie A… I get it.
This isn’t about ego. It’s about impact.
Why Talent Isn’t Always King
Let me be clear: we’re not here to dunk on star power. Mbappé still runs like a demon with fire in his boots—and that’s why he didn’t make it.
But here’s the twist: the best players aren’t always the most visible.
Take Lamine Yamal—still just 17—and yet he led Spain in key passes per 90 last season. Or Pedri: no flashy goals, but his passing precision reshaped Barcelona’s entire structure. He didn’t score three times in one game—but he made everyone look better.
That’s where this lineup shines: it honors influence over idolization.
Defensive DNA: More Than Just Goals Allowed
Now let’s talk defense—where things get real.
You’ve seen Van Dijk dominate on highlight reels. But have you counted how many times he stepped up mid-game to reset play with that calmness only legends possess?
And Maça? The kid from France didn’t just stop attacks—he redirected them like a chess master pulling strings behind bars.
Meanwhile, Mendes plays as if he dreams in transition zones. His positioning isn’t reactive; it’s prophetic.
These aren’t just defenders—they’re architects of space and pressure control.
Midfield Movers Who Move the Needle (Not Just the Ball)
even if you don’t know Gravenberch by name, you’ve felt his presence on pitch—he doesn’t dribble through crowds; he maps them first. His average pass accuracy? 93%. His press-regain rate? Top 3% across Europe last season. It doesn’t scream “stardom”… but it does scream “efficiency.” While Vitinha dazzles with flair and vision—the kind that gets headlines—the real MVPs are those who stabilize systems without needing applause. So yes: leaving Vitinha out wasn’t rejection—it was recalibration..
The Real MVP Moment?
The one moment that sealed my belief came during PSV vs Ajax last March. In injury time, Maça intercepted a clearance from deep—not to win possession—but to pause tempo so his fullback could reset under pressure. The crowd went silent for two seconds… then erupted not for fear—but respect. The man didn’t even celebrate… just nodded toward his coach like saying “We’re good here.” That’s elite character disguised as quiet professionalism—a quality we too often ignore when picking ‘best’ teams..
“Greatness isn’t loud,” I told my son after watching that clip while feeding him dinner last night. “It’s often invisible until it matters most.” The truth is—we need more players like him across leagues worldwide: silent warriors building foundations rather than chasing glory moments.. The future belongs not to those who shine brightest at peak moments—but those who keep everything running when no one’s looking..
Final Thought: Rethink What You Celebrate
The beauty of sport lies not in trophies alone—but in how we choose to honor effort, intelligence, and consistency over spectacle alone.. The 2024-25 Best XI may be controversial—but it challenges us all: as fans, as parents, as future coaches—to see beyond numbers, to value depth over dazzle, to believe that true legacy starts quietly.
ChiCourtDreamer
Hot comment (6)
Okay, let’s be real—when I saw Mbappé left out of the 2024-25 Best XI? My brain did a full ‘what even is football?’ moment. But after 37 hours of data scrubbing (and one questionable energy drink), I get it.
No star power? No problem. This lineup’s about impact, not Instagram clout.
Pedri didn’t score three goals—yet he made Barcelona run like they were on espresso.
And Maça? He intercepted a clearance just to pause the game so his fullback could breathe. Silent genius level.
So yeah—leaving Vitinha out wasn’t rejection; it was recalibration.
Greatness isn’t always loud… sometimes it’s just quietly resetting your entire midfield like a pro.
You think you know ‘best’ players? Think again.
Who else would you’ve left out? Drop your picks below 👇
#BestXI #FootballLogic #QuietPro
¿Quién dejó fuera a Mbappé?
¡Ay, mi gente! Cuando vi la lista del 2024-25 Best XI y no había ni rastro de Mbappé… me quedé como el balón que se le escapa al arquero en el último minuto.
Pero luego entendí: no es que esté mal… ¡es que está demasiado visible! Mientras él corre como un demonio con fuego en los pies, los otros… ¡hacen magia sin hacer ruido!
Pedri pasando como si leyera mentes, Maça interceptando pensamientos, y Gravenberch moviéndose por el campo como si tuviera mapa GPS del tiempo.
¿El MVP? El que pausa el juego para que su compañero respire.
¿No es genial? No todo debe gritar “¡GOL!” para ser grande.
¿Vos qué pensás? ¿Dejamos de idolatrar al más rápido y empezamos a celebrar al más inteligente? ¡Comenten antes de que llegue la próxima temporada y nos vuelvan locos otra vez!
Mbappé fora? Mas cadê que ele tá fazendo na beira da quadra? Ele tá mais rápido que um foguete sem combustível! Vitinha e Mendes estão ali com o peito cheio de tática… E o VAR? Só aparece quando o juiz quer dar um pênalti no último minuto! Quem disse que ‘melhor’ é quem brilha? Não — quem aguenta. 🤔 E você? Concorda com essa formação ou tá torcendo o time do seu tio?
So Mbappé didn’t make the cut? Cue dramatic pause. I mean… he still runs like he’s late for mass and his mom’s meatballs. But this list? It’s not about who dazzles on highlight reels — it’s about who actually keeps the engine running.
Gravenberch maps the pitch like it’s his spreadsheet. Maça redirects attacks like he’s playing chess in slow motion. And Mendes? He doesn’t just play left flank — he dreams in transition zones.
True MVPs don’t need applause. They just nod at their coach and say ‘We’re good here.’
Who’s your silent warrior? Drop their name below 👇 (and no, Messi doesn’t count — we’re talking after the trophy parade).
Mbappé left out? Brilliant. Not because he’s slow—but because this XI isn’t about star power, it’s about pressure control. Vitinha doesn’t dribble through crowds—he maps them. Mendes? He didn’t score… he redirected the game like a chess master pulling strings behind bars. This isn’t fandom—it’s forensic football. Next time you miss someone? Congrats—you’re not watching stars… you’re watching systems that keep running when no one’s looking. So yeah: leave the dazzle. Bring the data.
What’s your pick for Best XI? Drop a comment—or just nod quietly.
They left out Mbappe? I’m not mad—I’m impressed. You can’t dunk on star power when the algorithm picks efficiency over dazzle. Vitinha didn’t dribble through crowds—he mapped the entire league with 93% pass accuracy while sipping espresso. Mendes? He didn’t score… he redefined defense like a Swiss watchmaker who dreams in transition zones. This isn’t fandom—it’s forensic football. Who needs hype when the data speaks louder than the crowd? Drop your glow stick… and start believing again.
