FIFA SNUB CR7 AT BEST AWARDS
On Thursday, FIFA unveiled the list of nominees for The Best 2024 awards, which celebrate the world’s top football talent across both men's and women's categories. The 2024 shortlist for the Men’s Footballer of the Year features some of the biggest names in football, with Lionel Messi making the cut, while Cristiano Ronaldo has notably been excluded from the main award.
Lionel Messi, who has already claimed The Best FIFA Men’s Footballer award three times (the most by any player), remains a strong contender this year, thanks to his exceptional performances with both Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. His achievements include leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, followed by a stellar debut season in the MLS with Inter Miami, where he continues to defy expectations.
Messi is the only player to have been a finalist for The Best award every year since its inception in 2016, further cementing his dominance in the sport.
However, the competition for The Best 2024 is fierce. Alongside Messi, the finalists include:
- **Rodri** (Spain, Manchester City): The 2023 Ballon d'Or winner and key midfield engine for Manchester City and Spain.
- **Erling Haaland** (Norway, Manchester City): The goal-scoring machine who played a pivotal role in Manchester City's treble-winning season.
- **Kylian Mbappe** (France, Paris Saint-Germain-Real Madrid): A constant presence at the top of the game, with his blistering speed and goal-scoring prowess.
- **Vinicius Jr.** (Brazil, Real Madrid): One of the brightest young talents in world football.
- **Federico Valverde** (Uruguay, Real Madrid): Known for his versatility and contribution across multiple positions.
- **Florian Wirtz** (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen): A rising star in European football.
- **Dani Carvajal** (Spain, Real Madrid): A veteran full-back who continues to perform at the highest level.
- **Julian Alvarez** (Argentina, Manchester City-Atletico Madrid): A key figure in Manchester City's attack.
- **Mohammed Salah** (Egypt, Liverpool): The Egyptian King remains one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League.
- **Kevin De Bruyne** (Belgium, Manchester City): Widely regarded as one of the best playmakers in the world.
**Cristiano Ronaldo: Nominated for Ideal XI, but Not the Main Award**
In contrast to Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo has been absent from the shortlist for the 2024 Men’s Footballer of the Year award for the third consecutive year. Instead, the Al-Nassr forward has been nominated for a place in the Ideal XI of 2024. He is one of 22 attackers nominated for this category, which also includes Messi.
Ronaldo's absence from the main award reflects the shift in his career, as his performances in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr are not being recognized to the same extent as his previous years in Europe. Still, his inclusion in the Ideal XI category acknowledges his continued importance on the global stage.
**Summary of Nominees for The Best 2024:**
- **Lionel Messi** (Argentina, Inter Miami)
- **Erling Haaland** (Norway, Manchester City)
- **Kylian Mbappe** (France, Paris Saint-Germain-Real Madrid)
- **Rodri** (Spain, Manchester City)
- **Vinicius Jr.** (Brazil, Real Madrid)
- **Federico Valverde** (Uruguay, Real Madrid)
- **Florian Wirtz** (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)
- **Dani Carvajal** (Spain, Real Madrid)
- **Julian Alvarez** (Argentina, Manchester City-Atletico Madrid)
- **Mohammed Salah** (Egypt, Liverpool)
- **Kevin De Bruyne** (Belgium, Manchester City)
The winner of The Best 2024 award will be revealed later this year, with Messi looking to claim a record fourth title, while his competitors seek to disrupt his reign at the top of world football.