New York Giants coach John Harbaugh expressed optimism Monday about quarterback J.J. McCarthy being able to play Thursday night against Washington.
“It does look like he’s going to play," Harbaugh said on a video call with reporters. “Feel fairly good about that.”
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New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy attends a news conference after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy heads onto the field before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
McCarthy left the game Sunday at Philadelphia with a hip pointer and then returned to help contribute to a 19-11 victory. Teammates raved about McCarthy’s toughness for playing through pain.
“For that guy to come back in the game after getting hit like that, it shows toughness and it shows how much he loves his teammates,” cornerback Greg Newsome said afterward.
The Eagles sacked him five times, and McCarthy completed 12 of 19 passes for 127 yards. He left the sideline and went inside after getting tackled by Zack Baun in the third quarter and was replaced by Jameis Winston.
“It’s a physical game and a lot of guys are banged up, but we’re going to do our best to make sure we turn over as fast as possible and do whatever we can between now and then and make sure we’re as close to 100% leading up to a great opponent against Washington,” McCarthy said Sunday. "They’re going to be hungry, and we’re really excited to go get this one.”
The Giants opened as 1½-point home favorites on a short turnaround against the Commanders.
AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston in Philadelphia contributed to this report.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy attends a news conference after an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy heads onto the field before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
GENEVA (AP) — Lionel Messi’s peers gave him one more appearance in the FIFPRO World XI lineup Monday after nearly 20,000 players voted for their best team in a poll organized by the global union.
At age 39, the Argentina icon was elected on the team as part a four-superstar attack alongside Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Lamine Yamal. Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane missed out.
This is Messi's 18th year appearing in the XI and he was last chosen in 2023.
The Inter Miami forward also was the only men's World XI selection playing for a club outside Europe. Paris Saint-Germain's Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi was the only other selection from a national team outside Europe.
Spain’s World Cup-winning squads dominated with four players including 19-year-old Yamal voted on the men’s team and five on the Women’s World XI, including three-time Ballon d’Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, also announced Monday by the Netherlands-based union.
The women's team also had five players from European champion England though again none from the United States. FIFPRO said more than 6,500 women players from 64 countries voted.
Orlando Pride and Zambia forward Barbra Banda was the only team member with an African or North and South American connection elected.
The combined age of Barcelona pair Yamal and defender Pau Cubarsí adds up to a couple of days fewer than the 39 years, four months of former club great Messi. The World XI team has a third Barcelona and Spain player in Rodri, who signed from Manchester City after winning the FIFA Golden Ball trophy as best player at the World Cup.
Goalkeeper David Raya was a backup for Spain though won election to the World XI for his performances with Arsenal, the Premier League winner and Champions League beaten finalist.
Two-time Champions League winner PSG had a hat trick of players in the elected lineup with Hakimi joined by left back Nuno Mendes and midfielder Vitinha.
Jude Bellingham's selection with Mbappé gave Real Madrid two picks.
Zambia's Banda also was in the 2025 women's lineup, though was joined then by Morocco midfielder Ghizlane Chebbak. The 2024 team also included Banda and had two South Americans, Brazil great Marta and Colombia’s Linda Caicedo.
The last U.S. player to be voted on was Alex Morgan in the 2023 team.
European champion Barcelona provided five players to the 2026 team. Putellas and defender Mapi Leon both moved on to London City Lionesses since Barcelona’s latest Women’s Champions League title in May.
Defender Irene Paredes and forward Claudia Pina completed the contingent from 2023 Women's World Cup winner Spain.
The quintet from European champion England was goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and defender Lucy Bronze from Chelsea, Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood, Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone and Arsenal forward Alessia Russo. Bronze earned a record ninth selection in the team that was first elected in 2015.
FIFPRO Men’s World XI
Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal, Spain)
Defenders: Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain), Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid/England), Rodri (Manchester City/Barcelona, Spain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid, France), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
FIFPRO Women's World XI
Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England)
Defenders: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City, England) Mapi Leon (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain), Irene Paredes (Barcelona, Spain)
Midfielders: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain), Alexia Putellas (Barcelona/London City Lionesses, Spain), Ella Toone (Manchester United, England)
Forwards: Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia), Claudia Pina (Barcelona, Spain), Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England).
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's fifth goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Alaves in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the New England Revolution, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Arsenal's Alessia Russo, front, celebrates after scoring her side's first goal during the Women's Super League Soccer match between Arsenal and Aston Villa in London, England, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)
London City Lionesses' Alexia Putellas gestures during the Women's Super League soccer match between London City Lionesses and Manchester City in London, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)
