Messi, Bonmati Lead Fifa Best Player Award Finalists

The world football's governing body has announced Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati as finalists for the prestigious FIFA Best Players of the Year Awards. 

Messi, who clinched his record eighth Ballon d’Or crown in October, and Bonmati, recognized for her stellar performances in Spain's Women’s World Cup triumph, are among the elite contenders for the coveted honors.

The shortlist for the FIFA Men’s Best Player Award also includes Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, two exceptional talents who have left an indelible mark on the football world. On the women’s side, Bonmati’s Spain teammate, Jenni Hermoso and Colombian teenage sensation Linda Caicedo join the race for the top accolade.

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on January 15, promising an evening of celebration and recognition for football's outstanding talents.

Messi, who secured his eighth Ballon d’Or in Paris, will be vying for his second consecutive FIFA best player trophy after playing a pivotal role in Argentina's triumphant World Cup campaign last year.

Mbappe, the prolific France striker, contributed with an impressive tally of 41 goals in all competitions, propelling Paris Saint-Germain to victory in Ligue 1.

The women's finalists, including Bonmati and Hermoso, were selected based on achievements between August 1, 2022, and August 20, 2023, culminating in the Women’s World Cup final. Bonmati not only played a crucial role in Spain’s World Cup triumph but also secured the Women’s Champions League title with Barcelona.

In a notable turn of events, Hermoso found herself at the center of controversy when she was forcibly kissed by then-Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales following Spain’s 1-0 final win over England, leading to Rubiales' eventual resignation.

Colombian teenage sensation Linda Caicedo, 18, who played a key role in Colombia’s impressive run to the World Cup quarter-finals, has since made a significant move to Real Madrid. The diverse range of talent among the finalists sets the stage for a thrilling awards ceremony in January.