The final shortlist for The Best FIFA Player of Year 2021 has been released.
For the men’s category, Lionel Messi of Paris St Germain and Argentina who recently won the Ballon d’Or Award also made the 3-man shortlist. Messi ended his wait for major international silverware in 2021 as he helped Argentina to win the Copa America. It was an emotional year for the Argentine who left Barcelona for PSG last summer after more than 20 years at the Spanish club.
For the women’s category, Alexia Putellas of Barcelona and Spain who won the Ballon d’Or for the Women also made the 3-woman shortlist.
Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah also got shortlisted for The Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award. The Egypt star who has enjoyed a blistering start to the season at club level is currently with his national team preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations. Salah is the Premier League’s top goalscorer so far this season, with 16 to his name, and is arguably in the best form of his life.
Bayern Munich and Polish striker, Robert Lewandowski is the third name on the shortlist announced by FIFA on Friday afternoon. Lewandowski enjoyed another spectacular year at club level for Bayern, scoring a Bundesliga record 41 goals in the 2020-21 season to eclipse the previous best total set by Gerd Muller in the 1971-72 campaign.
For the Women’s Award
Jennifer Hermoso who is Alexia Putellas’ teammate in Barcelona and Spain made The Best Women’s Player of Year shortlist.
Chelsea forward Sam Kerr made the women’s player of the year shortlist. The Australian helped the Blues retain the Women’s Super League title in 2021 and reach the Champions League final. She also scored twice in the 3-0 win over Arsenal in the Women’s FA Cup final last month.
The Best award is voted for by a jury made up of current men’s national team coaches and captains, one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans registered on FIFA.com. The award winners will be announced in a virtual ceremony on January 17.
See the shortlists for other The Best Awards
