World football’s governing body, FIFA, announced the finalists for the Best Player of the Year awards on Thursday, with Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati among the selected nominees.
Lionel Messi, who secured a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or in October, is a contender for the FIFA Men’s Best Player award.
His competitors for the prestigious title include Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
On the women’s side, Aitana Bonmati, the winner of the women’s Ballon d’Or after her standout performances in Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory, is nominated for the FIFA Women’s Best Player award.
She faces competition from her Spain teammate Jenni Hermoso and Colombian teenage sensation Linda Caicedo.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on January 15, where the football community will eagerly anticipate the announcement of the winners in both the men’s and women’s categories.
