FIFA Reveals The Best Men’s Player Award Nominees

1 min ago

FIFA has unveiled the nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award, setting the stage for a renewed rivalry between Vinicius Junior and Rodri. This announcement comes shortly after the contentious Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Rodri emerged victorious over Vinicius, sparking debate among football fans and pundits alike.

Vinicius vs. Rodri: A Renewed Rivalry

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who narrowly missed out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or to Manchester City’s Rodri, now has a chance to settle the score. The Ballon d’Or controversy saw Real Madrid boycott the Paris event, criticizing the voting process and standing firmly behind their Brazilian star. With both players headlining FIFA’s shortlist, all eyes are on the renewed competition.

The Complete Nominee List

Alongside Vinicius and Rodri, FIFA’s list features a blend of experienced stars and rising talents:

Lionel Messi: A three-time The Best winner and last year’s champion.
Kylian Mbappé: PSG’s talisman and World Cup hero.
Erling Haaland: Manchester City’s record-breaking striker.
Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid’s midfield sensation.
Dani Carvajal and Federico Valverde: Key contributors to Real Madrid’s successes.
Toni Kroos: A retired legend still making waves on the list.
Lamine Yamal: Barcelona’s teenage prodigy.
Florian Wirtz: Bayer Leverkusen’s standout performer.

The list reflects performances over the 2024 calendar year, a distinction from the Ballon d’Or, which assesses the prior season.

The Voting Process

Unlike the Ballon d’Or, where journalists play a primary role, The Best FIFA Men’s Player award employs an equally weighted voting system. It considers input from:

Fans via FIFA.com (open until December 10, 2024, at 23:59 CET).
National team captains and coaches.
Select media representatives.

This balanced approach aims to provide a more holistic reflection of the global football community’s opinion.

What’s Next?

The award ceremony is slated for January 2025, though an exact date is yet to be confirmed. The event will not only crown The Best Men’s Player but also celebrate standout achievements in various categories, including coaching and goalkeeping.

For fans, this is another opportunity to weigh in on the debate surrounding football’s top individual accolades. Will Vinicius seize his revenge, or will Rodri cement his place as 2024’s dominant force? Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting conclusion to this year’s footballing honors.