By jessica Murdock
FIFA has revealed the list of nominees for The Best Football Awards 2024, honoring the most exceptional talents in men’s and women’s football across club and international competitions. Among the nominees, Lionel Messi stands out once again, while Cristiano Ronaldo is notably absent for the first time in years.
Men’s Player Nominees: Messi, Rodri, and Vinícius Jr. Lead the Pack
The competition for The Best FIFA Men’s Player is fierce, with major contenders such as Rodri, Vinícius Jr., and Lionel Messi making the cut. Rodri, who won the prestigious Ballon d’Or earlier this year, is a front-runner after playing a pivotal role in Manchester City’s treble-winning season, including their fourth consecutive Premier League title and UEFA Champions League victory. The Spanish midfielder’s stellar performances also helped guide Spain to the UEFA European Championship, where he was named the best player of the tournament.
On the other hand, Vinícius Jr., the Brazilian winger for Real Madrid, continues to shine in La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Champions League. Despite a controversial decision to boycott the October Ballon d’Or ceremony, Vinícius’s remarkable form for Madrid makes him a top contender for the award.
While Messi’s name is unsurprising on the list, as the Argentine legend has continued to perform at an elite level with Inter Miami, the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of football’s greatest-ever players, is a notable omission from the shortlist.
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Complete Men’s Nominee List:
- Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid
- Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City
- Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid
- Florian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer Leverkusen
- Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid
- Kylian Mbappé (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid
- Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona
- Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami
- Rodri (Spain), Manchester City
- Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)
- Vinícius Jr. (Brazil), Real Madrid
Women’s Player Nominees: A Competitive Field
The race for The Best FIFA Women’s Player includes some of the most outstanding talents in women’s football, with Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona and Khadija Shaw of Manchester City among the leading nominees. Bonmatí’s consistent excellence for both club and country has earned her a spot, as has Shaw’s stellar performance for Jamaica and City.
Other notable nominees include Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona), Keira Walsh (England, Barcelona), and Lucy Bronze (England, Barcelona/Chelsea), alongside emerging stars such as Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns) and Salma Paralluelo (Spain, Barcelona).
Complete Women’s Nominee List:
- Aitana Bonmatí (Spain), Barcelona
- Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride
- Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona
- Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona
- Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City
- Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City
- Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyonnais
- Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea
- Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars
- Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal
- Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave
- Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona
- Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona
- Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns
- Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais
- Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit
Coaching Nominees: The Tactical Brilliance of Ancelotti and Guardiola
The nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach include some of the top managerial minds in football, with Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) and Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) both in contention after guiding their teams to significant victories. Other nominees include Lionel Scaloni, who led Argentina to the 2024 Copa América title, and Luis de la Fuente, who managed Spain during a successful UEFA European Championship campaign.
The women’s coaching category sees Emma Hayes of Chelsea, Jonatan Giraldez of Barcelona, and Sonia Bompastor of Olympique Lyonnais among the top contenders.
Goalkeeper Nominees: A Battle for the Golden Gloves
The goalkeeper categories are also packed with talent, with Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa) and David Raya (Spain, Arsenal) in the men’s list. Meanwhile, Mary Earps (England, Manchester United) and Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany, Chelsea) lead the charge in the women’s category.
Complete Men’s Goalkeeper Nominees:
- Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid
- David Raya (Spain), Arsenal
- Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City
- Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Aston Villa
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain
- Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan
- Unai Simon (Spain), Athletic Club
Complete Women’s Goalkeeper Nominees:
- Alyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red Stars
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham
- Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City
- Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona
- Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain
Excitement Builds for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024
As the award ceremony approaches, football fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the results, with The Best Football Awards 2024 promising to celebrate the year’s top performers in the sport. The nominees represent a mix of established icons and emerging stars, reflecting the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of global football.
