FIFA (International Football Federation) announced this Thursday (6) the 11 nominees for The Best award, which highlights the best players of the season.
Raphinha, from Barcelona, current Spanish champion, is the only Brazilian on the list for the main trophy. Winner of the last edition, Vinicius Junior, from Real Madrid, was not included in the selection of nominees.
Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé, from Paris Saint-Germain, who already won the Ballon d’Or award from France Football in September, is also competing for the FIFA award.
From the current Champions League champion Parisian team, full-backs Hakimi and Nuno Mendes and midfielder Vitinha are also in contention.
Barcelona is the second team with the most names. In addition to Raphinha, Spaniards Pedri and Lamine Yamal represent the Catalan team.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Mbappé (Real Madrid), Cole Palmer (Chelsea) and Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) complete the list.
To define the competitors, a group of former players draws up a pre-list. From there, the jury, made up of journalists, national team captains and coaches, and fans, chooses the winner in each category.
Voting for the general public began this Thursday and remains open until November 28, at 7:59 pm (Brasília time).
The FIFA awards had their first edition in 1991. Messi is the biggest winner, with eight achievements. Next come Cristiano Ronaldo, with five, and Ronaldo and Zidane, with three each.
In the category of best goalkeeper of the season, with eight candidates, Alisson Becker, from Liverpool, is one of the candidates in the running.
The FIFA awards will also highlight the best player, the best goalkeeper, and the best coaches of men’s and women’s teams. There will be a prize for the best cheerleader.
Check the list of competitors
Player of the year
Ousmane Dembélé (PSG)
Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Pedri (Barcelona)
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Vitinha (PSG)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
Player of the year
Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea)
Nathalie Bjorn (Chelsea)
Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)
Love of Love (Kansas City Current)
Diani Kadidiatou (Lyon)
Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
Patri Guijarro (Barcelona)
Lindsey Heaps (Lyon)
Lauren James (Chelsea)
Chloe Kelly (Manchester City/Arsenal)
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona)
Claudia Pina (Barcelona)
Alexia Whores (Barcelona)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
Goalkeeper of the year
Alisson Becker (Liverpool)
Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Manchester City)
Emiliano Martínez (Aston Villa)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
David Raya (Arsenal)
Yann Sommer (Inter Milan)
Wojciech Szczęsny (Barcelona)
Goalkeeper of the year
Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC)
Cata Coll (Barcelona)
Christiane Endler (Lyon)
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)
Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride)
Chiamaka Nandozi (Paris FC/Brighton)
Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United)
Women’s team coach
Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea)
Jonatan Giráldez (Washington Spirit/Lyon)
Seb Hines (Orlando Pride)
Renee Slegers (Arsenal)
Sarina Wiegman (Inglaterra)
Men’s team coach
Javier Aguirre (Mexico)
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Luis Enrique (PSG)
Hansi Flick (Barcelona)
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
Roberto Martínez (Portugal)
Arne Slot (Liverpool)
Fan award
Alejandro Ciganotto (Racing fan)
Manolo ‘el del Bombo’ (Spain fan)
Zakho fans
