Manchester City’s dynamic duo Erling Haaland and Rodri have emerged as the Premier League’s sole representatives in the prestigious 2024 FIFA Best Awards men’s player category. Their nominations come on the heels of Manchester City’s historic achievement as the first English top-flight team to secure four consecutive league titles.
Premier League Representation and Key Contenders
The nominations reflect Manchester City’s dominance in English football, with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri positioned as a leading contender for the award. The Spanish midfielder, who has been instrumental in City’s success, faces stiff competition from Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, who finished as runner-up in the recent Ballon d’Or voting.
England’s rising star Jude Bellingham, who secured third place in the Ballon d’Or rankings, is among the 11 nominees. At just 21 years old, Bellingham could make history by becoming the first English male player to claim the FIFA Best award. His nomination follows an impressive period with Real Madrid, where he has quickly established himself as one of football’s most exciting talents.
Spanish Football’s Strong Presence
The nominations list showcases the significant influence of Spanish football, with Real Madrid particularly well-represented. The list includes established stars like Toni Kroos and emerging talents such as Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, highlighting La Liga’s continued prominence in world football.
Messi’s Unique Position
Defending champion Lionel Messi, now with Inter Miami, stands out as the only nominee currently playing outside Europe. His inclusion reflects his enduring influence on the sport, even after his move to Major League Soccer.
Coaching Excellence
The Best Men’s Coach category features some of football’s most accomplished tacticians:
- Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) – The defending champion looking to retain his title
- Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) – The experienced Italian maestro
- Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen) – Making waves with his innovative approach
- Lionel Scaloni (Argentina) – Continuing his impressive work with the national team
- Luis de la Fuente (Spain) – Leading Spain’s new era
Goalkeeping Elite
The goalkeeper category presents a diverse field of talent, including Premier League representatives:
- David Raya (Arsenal)
- Ederson (Manchester City)
- Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
They compete alongside European stalwarts like Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid), and Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao).
Selection Process
The award winners will be determined through a comprehensive voting system that equally weighs input from:
- Football fans worldwide
- Current national team captains and coaches (both men’s and women’s)
- Media representatives
Complete List of Nominees
Best Men’s Player
- 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 Mbappe (France/Paris St-Germain/Real Madrid)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain/Barcelona)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina/Inter Miami)
- Rodri (Spain/Manchester City)
- Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid)
- Vinicius Jr (Brazil/Real Madrid)
The awards ceremony promises to be a celebration of football excellence, recognizing outstanding achievements across different aspects of the beautiful game. With such a competitive field of nominees, the 2024 FIFA Best Awards are set to showcase the sport’s brightest talents and most influential figures.