Fresh from their sensible performances on the World Cup, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe are among the many nominees for FIFA’s The Best award for final yr, world soccer’s governing physique introduced on Thursday. Messi, who has gained the prize as soon as earlier than, captained Argentina to victory in Qatar, a career-defining triumph that has boosted his probabilities of profitable an eighth Ballon d’Or however may make him favorite for this prize. As nicely as Mbappe, who netted a hat-trick within the World Cup closing, one other two Paris Saint-Germain gamers are nominated in Neymar and Achraf Hakimi.

However, Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has not been nominated.

Karim Benzema, who gained final yr’s Ballon d’Or for his performances with Real Madrid, can be nominated, as is Robert Lewandowski, winner of the FIFA prize within the final two years. The listing of nominees is accomplished by Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland; the Real Madrid pair of Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Jude Bellingham.

Alexia Putellas is nominated for the ladies’s award regardless of being out for the final six months resulting from harm. The Barcelona and Spain midfielder gained the award final yr and retained the Ballon d’Or in October.

Arsenal striker Beth Mead, runner-up to Putellas for the Ballon d’Or, can be nominated, as are two different members of the England workforce that gained the European Championship on residence soil in Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh.

There are additionally prizes for the perfect female and male coach, the perfect goalkeeper, and the Puskas Award for the perfect objective of 2022.

A public vote, open till February 3, will determine the three finalists in every class. The winner is then voted for by a jury made up of nationwide workforce coaches and captains in addition to journalists and followers.

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