(AFP) - The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) announced Thursday the names of the nominees for the "Best" award for the year 2022, led by Argentine Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi and his French colleague Kylian Mbappe, a few weeks after the match that brought them together in the Qatar World Cup final. foot.
The chances of the little "flea", who led the "Albiceleste" team to the world title for the first time since 1986 and the third in its history after a charming performance, seem high to win the prize, whose winner will be announced on February 27. He is also likely to add to his record an eighth Ballon d'Or awarded to the best player in the world.
On the other hand, Mbappe almost wrote his name in the history of round ball by becoming the second player to win the World Cup twice in a row after the late Brazilian legend Pele, after his hat-trick in the final, but he failed to avoid losing the “Roosters” team to Argentina by penalty kicks 2-4 after they tied 3. 3- In the original and additional times.
Also on the list were two players defending the colors of the French capital club, the Brazilian Neymar and the Moroccan Ashraf Hakimi.
Another French player, the Spanish Real Madrid star, Karim Benzema, was also chosen as the winner of the Golden Ball award for the best player in the world in its latest version, as well as the Polish Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona striker, who won the “Best” award from FIFA in the last two years.
The list also included three players from Manchester City, the Argentine Julian Alvares, the Belgian Kevin De Bruyne and the Norwegian Erling Haaland, in addition to the Croatian Real Madrid duo Luka Modric and the Brazilian Vinicius Junior, the Egyptian Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, the Bayern Munich striker, Senegalese Sadio Mane and the Borussia midfielder. Dortmund German Englishman Jude Bellingham.
Among the women, the presence of the star Alexia Potias appeared in the list of candidates for the award, despite her absence from the stadiums in the last six months due to injury.
The Barcelona and Spain player won the award last year and was also crowned with the Golden Ball award.
The list also included the English attacker Beth Meade, who ranked second in the Golden Ball award, and two players from the English team that won the European Cup at home, Leah Williamson and Kira Walsh.
Awards are also given to the best men's and women's coach, the best goalkeeper and the Puskas Award for the best goal of 2022.
A public and open vote will be held until February 3, after which it will determine who will qualify for the final stage in each category.
The winner is voted on by a jury made up of coaches and captains of national teams as well as journalists and fans.