Star Metro - Messi, Bonmati nominated for FIFA best player awards

NYSE - LSE

CMSC	-0.24%	20.94	$
CMSD	-0.24%	20.73	$
BCC	1.77%	77.21	$
RIO	0.17%	102.035	$
BCE	0.87%	23.615	$
NGG	-1.44%	78.03	$
RYCEF	-0.25%	19.75	$
AZN	0.01%	162.49	$
RBGPF	5.18%	72.24	$
GSK	-0.39%	50.465	$
VOD	0.31%	16.1	$
JRI	-0.3%	12.134	$
BP	-1.19%	43.945	$
BTI	-0.43%	55.681	$
RELX	-1.67%	35.115	$

Messi, Bonmati nominated for FIFA best player awards

SPORTS 14.12.2023

Messi, Bonmati nominated for FIFA best player awards / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP/File

Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati were named as finalists for the FIFA best players of the year awards by world football's governing body on Thursday.

Text size:

Messi was awarded a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or crown in October in Paris, while Bonmati took the women's prize after starring for Spain in their Women's World Cup triumph.

Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are the other nominees for the FIFA men's best player award, with Bonmati's Spain teammate Jenni Hermoso and Colombian teenage sensation Linda Caicedo also named on the women's shortlist.

The awards ceremony will take place in London on January 15.

The men's finalists were named based on performances from December 19, 2022 until August 20 this year, with the women's decided by achievements between August 1, 2022 and August 20, 2023, the day of the World Cup final.

Messi won his second FIFA best player trophy last year after helping Argentina win the World Cup.

Haaland, who finished second to Messi in the Ballon d'Or voting, scored 52 goals in his first season at Manchester City last term to help the English club to a treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles.

France striker Mbappe scored 41 goals in all competitions to help Paris Saint-Germain win Ligue 1.

Bonmati and Hermoso both scored three goals in the tournament as Spain lifted the Women's World Cup for the first time, while Bonmati also won the Women's Champions League with Barcelona last season.

Hermoso was forcibly kissed by then-Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales following Spain's 1-0 final win over England, sparking a huge controversy and his eventual resignation.

Caicedo, 18, starred in Colombia's run to the World Cup quarter-finals and has since signed for Real Madrid.

A.Hill--SMC

Featured

Man City, Chelsea fuel record-breaking Premier League transfer window

Manchester City launched a new era by setting a Premier League transfer window record, while Chelsea made Morgan Rogers the most expensive British player in history.

Third-ranked Pegula powers into US Open third round

World number three Jessica Pegula raced into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, dominating on serve in a 6-3, 6-1 victory over compatriot Sofia Kenin.

Balogun rejected Everton move over transfer 'treatment'

Folarin Balogun's £40 million ($54 million) move to Everton from Monaco collapsed hours before the transfer window closed because the United States striker pulled out over his "treatment" by the Premier League side, the Ligue 1 club's managing director said on Wednesday.

Northampton seek 'happy medium' in bid to keep England star Pollock

Northampton are attempting to find a "happy medium" in order to keep Henry Pollock at the Prem champions after his agent said that the rising England star was worth a seven-figure salary.