Messi-Benzema is on the list; Ronaldo is not in the FIFA team of the year
The official list of candidates for “The Best” of the year has been made public by FIFA. The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo’s name from the 14-name shortlist is the biggest surprise. However, the list features everyone from Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema to World Cup champion Lionel Messi.
The Puskas Award candidates for men’s and women’s player of the year, coach, goalkeeper, and goal of the year have been revealed by world football’s top regulating body. Up until February 3rd, the public voting period for the “Best of the year” pick will be open. A group of two specialists decided on the nominations for the year.
Julian Alvarez is included in the list of men’s players of the year together with world champion Lionel Messi of Argentina. At the World Cup in Qatar, Benzema is competing against Kylian Mbappe of the Runners’ France for the title of “The Best.” Furthermore, Poland’s Robert Leynodski and Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland, who played for Manchester City in the EPL, are present. Neymar and Vinicius Junior are Brazil’s two faces. The World Cup’s “dazzle” consists of Ashraf Hakimi of Morocco and Luka Modric of Croatia.
Ronaldo’s exclusion is one of the biggest surprises, despite the names of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Jude Bellingham appearing on the list. When CR7 lost in the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar, their dream was crushed. The five-time Ballon d’Or and two-time “Best” winner signed a record contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr following the World Cup. The fact that the Portuguese star’s name is not included in the list of the year’s best surprises Ronaldo admirers.
The World Cup-winning coach of Argentina, Lionel Scaloni, is competing for Fifa’s best coach of the year award alongside Didier Deschamps, Pep Guardiola, and Carlo Ancelotti. Walid Regragier, a Moroccan coach, is listed.
The candidates for best goalkeeper of the year are Emiliano Martinez, Alisson Becker, Yassin Buno, Thibaut Courtois, and Ederson. For the Puskas Award, Mario Balotelli, Richarlison, and Kylian Mbappe are contenders.