All the Nominees for FIFA's The Best Awards
FIFA has announced the nominees for the various The Best awards, with a notable presence of Real Madrid players.
Real Madrid continues to leave its mark on the global football scene, this time dominating the finalists for FIFA’s prestigious The Best award. Out of the 10 male candidates for the coveted prize, six are affiliated with the Spanish powerhouse, reaffirming the club’s supremacy in elite football.
The nominees include Dani Carvajal, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Toni Kroos (retired), Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé, who earned recognition for his contributions at both PSG and Real Madrid. This group leads a list that also features Erling Haaland and Rodri from Manchester City, Lamine Yamal from Barcelona, Lionel Messi from Inter Miami, and Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Best's Democratic Voting System
What sets The Best award apart is its inclusive voting system, giving equal weight to the votes of captains, coaches, journalists, and fans. Supporters can already cast their votes on FIFA’s official website, with the voting period closing on December 10. The date for the award ceremony has yet to be announced.
Real Madrid’s Unstoppable Dominance
Real Madrid’s overwhelming presence among the finalists is no coincidence. The club’s recent season was marked by both individual brilliance and collective success. Players like Bellingham, who has transformed the midfield, and Vinícius, a standout in attack, embody the club’s commitment to excellence. The inclusion of Kroos, even post-retirement, underscores his enduring legacy, while Carvajal and Valverde continue to showcase versatility and dedication.
Meanwhile, Mbappé, a recent addition, is already making his mark as a global football icon. His nomination highlights his significant contributions throughout both phases of the season.
Additional Awards and Spain's Strong Representation
In addition to the best male player award, this year’s The Best honors include categories such as best female player, best coach in both male and female football, and best goalkeeper. On the women’s side, Spain boasts a strong presence with four Barcelona players nominated: Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, Ona Batlle, and Salma Paralluelo.
Among the male coaches, Carlo Ancelotti stands out after another remarkable year with Real Madrid, while Jonatan Giráldez, former Barcelona coach, is in contention for the women’s category.
Recognitions for Fans and Fair Play
FIFA will also present awards for Best Fan and Fair Play. Additionally, the Puskás Award for the best male goal and the Marta Award for the best female goal will be determined by fans and a panel of FIFA Legends.
With six male finalists, Real Madrid is not only aiming for more accolades but also reaffirming its status as a standard-bearer in world football. Could this mark another glorious chapter in the club’s storied history?
All The Best Awards Nominees
Men’s Best Player Nominees
- Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid
- Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City
- Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid
- Florian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer Leverkusen
- Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid
- Kylian Mbappé (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid
- Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona
- Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami
- Rodri (Spain), Manchester City
- Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (retired)
- Vinícius Jr. (Brazil), Real Madrid
Women’s Best Player Nominees
- Aitana Bonmatí (Spain), Barcelona
- Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride
- Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona
- Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona
- Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City
- Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City
- Lindsey Horan (United States), Olympique Lyon
- Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea
- Mallory Swanson (United States), Chicago Red Stars
- Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal
- Naomi Girma (United States), San Diego Wave
- Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona
- Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona
- Sophia Smith (United States), Portland Thorns
- Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyon
- Trinity Rodman (United States), Washington Spirit
Men’s Best Coach Nominees
- Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid
- Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina National Team
- Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain National Team
- Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City
- Xabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen
Women’s Best Coach Nominees
- Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil Women’s National Team
- Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic
- Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/United States
- Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan Women’s National Team
- Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City Women
- Jonatan Giráldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
- Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
- Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyon/Chelsea
Men’s Best Goalkeeper Nominees
- Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid
- David Raya (Spain), Arsenal
- Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City
- Emiliano Martínez (Argentina), Aston Villa
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain
- Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan
- Unai Simón (Spain), Athletic Club
Women’s Best Goalkeeper Nominees
- Alyssa Naeher (United States), Chicago Red Stars
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham
- Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City
- Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona
- Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain