Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe top the 12-man shortlist for FIFA Men’s Player of the Year nominees, with England midfielder Declan Rice also nominated after leading former club West Ham United to Europa League success.
Argentina captain Messi, who now plays for the American team Inter Miami, aims to win the award for a record third time, having received the honor in 2019 and 2022.
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But despite helping Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar 2022, Messi faces stiff competition from Manchester City striker Haaland after the Norway international scored 52 goals as Pep Guardiola’s side completed a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble last season.
Julian Alvarez, Marcelo Brozovic, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri, Hveca Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen and Bernardo Silva make up the shortlist alongside Messi, Haaland, Mbappe and Rice.
Spain, who won their first Women’s World Cup in Australia last month, have four players on the 12-name shortlist for the women’s award with Aitana Bonmati, Gini Hermoso, Maby León and Salma Baraluelo all in the running for success. La Roja Midfielder Alexia Putellas winning the cup.
Linda Caicedo, Rachel Daly, Kadiatou Diani, Caitlin Ford, Mary Fowler, Alex Greenwood, Amanda Elstedt, Lauren James, Sam Kerr, Hinata Miyazawa and Keira Walsh were also nominated, with Lindsay Horan the only American player to make the shortlist.
Voting for the eighth annual awards began on Thursday on FIFA.com and ends in mid-October. National team coaches, captains, journalists and fans make up the voter list.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.
