Argentina forward Lionel Messi is on the shortlist for the FIFA Best Male Player award, joined by Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, football’s world governing body announced on Friday.
Messi could win his second The Best trophy after leading Argentina to their third World Cup title by beating Mbappe’s France in last year’s final in Qatar, scoring seven goals during the tournament and earning his second Golden ball.
World Cup Golden Boot winner Mbappe and France’s 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema feature for the first time among the three finalists.
Mbappe starred for France throughout the World Cup and wowed fans with an incredible hat-trick in the World Cup final against Messi’s Argentina.
Despite missing the World Cup through injury, Benzema also had a memorable year and was the star player for Real Madrid on their journey to winning the Champions League.
Lionel Messi is on the shortlist for the FIFA Best Male Player award after winning the World Cup
Kylian Mbappe is also on the list after his incredible performances throughout the World Cup
Karim Benzema completes the list and was key to Real Madrid winning the Champions League
Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas could claim the Best Women’s Player award for the second year in a row despite being sidelined since July with a knee injury.
Forward Beth Mead is also nominated after leading England to the Euro 2022 title as the best player of the tournament.
Mead was England’s star on their way to Euro glory on home soil and the 27-year-old led the tournament in both goals and assists.
United States forward Alex Morgan, who was a finalist in 2019, completes the list.
The winners will be announced on Feb. 27 during a ceremony in Paris.
England and Arsenal forward Beth Mead is nominated for the Best Women’s Player award .
source: dailymail.co.uk
