Why are we asking you to sign in? Find out more here
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .
Why are we asking you to sign in? Find out more here
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .
Lionel Messi in the running for top FIFA award along with four Premier League players
ARGENTINA’S WORLD CUP-WINNING captain Lionel Messi heads a 14-strong shortlist for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award
Messi’s World Cup heroics earn him a place on the list, alongside his international team-mate Julian Alvarez of Manchester City.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham is on the list after a stellar World Cup which has made him one of the most sought-after players on the planet, while France forward Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s World Cup final but still ended up on the losing side, is also nominated.
In addition to Alvarez, there are three more current Premier League players on the list – his City team-mates Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland along with Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah.
Salah’s former Reds team-mate Sadio Mane, now with Bayern Munich, is also on the list.
Morocco’s incredible run to the World Cup semi-finals is recognised with Paris St Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi’s inclusion, while three members of Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning team – Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, and Vinicius Junior – are in contention.
Three of the England team which triumphed at the Euros have been shortlisted for The Best FIFA Women’s Player award.
Top scorer Beth Mead, captain Leah Williamson, and midfield star Keira Walsh have all made it onto the initial list of 14.
Spain and Barcelona star Alexia Putellas, who won the award last year, has been shortlisted again, with Chelsea and Australia star Sam Kerr also on the list.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is one of five names on the best men’s coach shortlist. He is joined by Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach Lionel Scaloni, France’s Didier Deschamps, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, and Morocco boss Walid Regragui.
England manager Sarina Wiegman is on the women’s coach list, alongside Chelsea’s Emma Hayes, Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor, Canada’s English coach Bev Priestman, Brazil’s Swedish coach Pia Sundhage, and Germany’s Martina Voss-Tecklenburg.
Lionesses number one Mary Earps is nominated for the best women’s goalkeeper prize, with Premier League stars Alisson, Ederson, and Emiliano Martinez in the running for the men’s goalkeeper award.
Alessia Russo’s incredible back-heeled finish in England’s Euros semi-final win over Sweden is among the contenders for the FIFA Puskas Award for the year’s best goal, with Kylian Mbappe’s volley which took the World Cup final to extra-time and Richarlison’s scissor kick for Brazil against Serbia in the World Cup group stage also included.
Voting closes on February 3, with the three finalists in each category to be announced later that month.
The Best FIFA Women’s Player:
The Best FIFA Men’s Player:
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach:
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach:
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper:
The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper:
The FIFA Puskás Award:
The Best FIFA Fan Award:
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
the best