The "BEST XI" project is part of the "Football Stars of Ukraine" ceremony, initiated in 2016 by the All-Ukrainian Association of Professional Footballers on par with FIFPRO / FIFA World XI.

The uniqueness of the project lies in the fact that winners are determined exclusively by professional footballers. Representatives of the UAFP conduct individual surveys throughout the season directly within professional football teams in Ukraine. This format allows participants in the football process to evaluate their colleagues' performances and identify those who, in their opinion, were the best over the year. Only players who play in Ukraine, that is, in the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) and Professional Football League (PFL), can be nominated.

The symbolic team format includes the best players by position: goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards.

So, according to the voting results, the men's symbolic team "BEST XI – 2025" includes:

• Goalkeeper: Dmytro Ryndyk
• Defenders: Mykola Matviyenko, Taras Mikhavko, Yurim Konoplia
• Midfielders: Ivan Kalyuzhnyy, Mykola Shaparenko, Georgiy Sudakov, Vitaliy Buyalskiy
• Forwards: Vladyslav Vanat, Andriy Yarmolenko, Oleksiy Hushchylak

These 11 footballers received the most votes from their colleagues based on performances in 2025.

The "BEST XI" project is particularly significant for footballers as it is not an evaluation by a jury or expert group. It is recognition from professionals to professionals – people who are on the football field every day, understand the demands of professional sports and can best evaluate their colleagues' mastery, stability, and contribution to the game.

A special aspect of the project is women's football. We remind you that the results of the voting among female players have already been presented during the forum "Women in Football", which took place on July 30, 2026 at the House of Football of the UAF. The separate voting and determination of a women's symbolic team are also an important component in promoting and supporting the development of women's football in Ukraine.

"BEST XI" is one of the projects that unite the Ukrainian football community and give players the opportunity to recognize the best among their colleagues. Despite the challenging conditions under which Ukrainian football continues to develop, professional players maintain the tradition of recognizing mastery, professionalism, and sporting achievements.

"Football Stars of Ukraine" and "BEST XI" also remain an important platform for promoting Ukrainian football and motivating the next generation of players who aspire to be among the best in the future.

Congratulations to the footballers who made it into the "BEST XI – 2025" and thank you to all professional players who participated in the voting!