The Best: FIFA announces men’s player candidates

Ten men have been selected by FIFA as candidates to win The Best Football Awards men’s player of the season.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will go head to head as the shortlist of candidates to win The Best: FIFA Football Awards for best male player.

The list was published today by the football governing body, and the winner will be announced in a Gala on September 23rd in Milan, Italy.

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the nominations as he won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal, and then the domestic league and the Italian Super Cup with Juventus.

Lionel Messi is also led, after claiming the European Golden Shoe, and also won La Liga championship with Barcelona.

Youngster Frenkie de Jong won the domestic league and cup double with Ajax in his native country; while former teammate Matthijs de Ligt was also chosen as a candidate.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane led his side to the UEFA Champions League Final; meanwhile, Eden Hazard won the UEFA Europa League with Chelsea.

Other candidates include Sadio Mane who won the Champions League with Liverpool and helped Senegal reach the Africa Cup of Nations Final.

Kylian Mbappe won Ligue 1 and Trophee des Champions with Paris Saint-Germain, and Mohamed Salah won the European championship with the Reds.

Another favorite to win the ward is Virgil van Dijk, who won the PFA Player of the Season and Premier League Player of the Year, while also winning the Champions League.

PSG’s Neymar was not selected in the ten-men shortlist.