The football world is abuzz as FIFA announced the nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024, celebrating outstanding achievements in men’s and women’s football. The prestigious awards, now in their ninth edition, will be held in January 2025, recognizing players, coaches, and goalkeepers who shone at club and international levels this year.
Key Highlights:
- Lionel Messi and Aitana BonmatÃ, winners of the 2023 awards, are once again among the frontrunners in their respective categories. Messi’s stellar form with Inter Miami and BonmatÃ’s pivotal role in Barcelona’s dominance make them strong contenders.
- New to this year’s ceremony is the FIFA Marta Award, created to honor the best goal scored in women’s football. This complements the FIFA Puskás Award, which celebrates the top goal in men’s football.
- Fans will have a significant voice, voting to select The Best FIFA Men’s 11 and The Best FIFA Women’s 11 for the first time. Their choices will be combined with those of a panel of football experts.
Notable Nominees:
- Men’s Player of the Year: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Kylian Mbappé (PSG/Real Madrid), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), and Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) lead a star-studded list.
- Women’s Player of the Year: Aitana BonmatÃ, Mallory Swanson (USA), Khadija Shaw (Manchester City), and Trinity Rodman (USA) highlight the women’s category.
- Coaches: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) and Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) are among the men’s nominees, while Emma Hayes (Chelsea/USWNT) features prominently for women.
Voting is open until December 10, 2024, on the official FIFA website. Fans worldwide are encouraged to participate, making their voices heard in shaping football history.