The nominees for FIFA’s The Best awards have been announced.
A total of 12 players are up to be crowned the best men’s player of 2023, with six Premier League-based players in the running including Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva are all nominated from treble-winners Manchester City, plus former captain Ilkay Gundogan.
Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia get the nod after leading Napoli to the Serie A title while Marcelo Brozovic is a surprise addition after Inter Milan’s run to the Champions League final.
There are also spots for Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi as the Argentine looks to scoop the gong for the third time.
The Best awards are FIFA’s official ceremony and serve as a rival to the Ballon d’Or, which nominated 30 players earlier this month including Jude Bellingham, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and Martin Odegaard, all of whom miss out in The Best.
Women’s World Cup Golden Ball winner Aitana Bonmati heads the list of nominees for best women’s player, which features England quartet Rachel Daly, Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood and Lauren James.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has made the cut for the best men’s coach, having guided Celtic to an all-conquering domestic treble in his final campaign in Glasgow. Pep Guardiola, Xavi, Luciano Spalletti and Simone Inzaghi are also nominated.
England’s Sarina Wiegman and Chelsea boss Emma Hayes are up for best women’s coach, on a shortlist which does not feature former Spain manager Jorge Vilda.
Mary Earps is the favourite to win best women’s goalkeeper while Ederson, Andre Onana, Yassine Bounou, Thibaut Courtois and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are up for the men’s gong.
Fans will vote on the winners with the official period determining the vote running from after the World Cup in Qatar to August 20, 2023.
