In an exciting announcement on Thursday, FIFA revealed the nominees for its prestigious The Best award, showcasing the world’s top football talents. This year’s finalists include the likes of Lionel Messi, Vini Jr, and Rodri, the latter of whom also clinched the Ballon d’Or. Here are the 11 contenders for the men’s football award:
- Vini Jr – Real Madrid
- Rodri – Manchester City
- Bellingham – Real Madrid
- Lionel Messi – Inter Miami
- Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
- Valverde – Real Madrid
- Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen
- Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid
- Carvajal – Real Madrid
- Haaland – Manchester City
- Kroos – Real Madrid
The previous edition of The Best was mired in controversy, with Lionel Messi being named the best player of 2023 despite limited appearances for Inter Miami and the Argentine national team. In 2024, this esteemed award is rebranded as the “FIFA Awards.”
Brazilian Football Represented
Beyond the individual accolades, FIFA will also honor the team of the year, featuring three standout players from Fluminense, who were instrumental in their 2023 Copa Libertadores triumph: Germán Cano, Ganso, and Nino. Botafogo’s Almada also makes the list among the midfielders, showcasing the depth of Brazilian talent in the global arena.
