Argentina featured heavily in shortlists for Fifa’s Best awards following their World Cup triumph, with forwards Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and coach Lionel Scaloni receiving nominations in their categories.
Messi, along with his Paris St Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, were among the 14 players shortlisted for The Best Fifa Men’s Player award, the world governing body said on Thursday.
The trio are joined by last year’s winner Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona, Manchester City playmaker Kevin de Bruyne, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and PSG’s Neymar and Achraf Hakimi.
Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d’Or award, is also on the shortlist.
Barca and Arsenal dominate the women’s award with three players each including Alexia Putellas, Keira Walsh and Aitana Bonmati for the Spanish champions while the English side are represented by Leah Williamson, Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola are nominated for the men’s award, along with Scaloni, France boss Didier Deschamps and Morocco’s Walid Regragui.
