Brazil's soccer player Marta arrives for the FIFA Football Awards 2023 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
FIFA's annual player of the year awards are set to take place on Monday, with some of the biggest names in football vying for the prestigious honors. Among the men's shortlist are legendary Argentine forward Lionel Messi, rising French star Kylian Mbappé, and the talented Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
Known as 'The Best' awards, FIFA's version of the iconic Ballon d'Or prize attracts global attention and recognizes outstanding achievements in the world of football. Winners are determined through a voting process involving a panel of national team coaches and captains, selected journalists, and fans who participate online.
The awards ceremony will be held at the Hammersmith Apollo theater in west London and will include categories such as best coach, best goalkeeper, and the coveted Puskas Award for the best goal of the year.
England soccer player Alessia Russo arrives for the FIFA Football Awards 2023 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)Brazil's soccer player Marta arrives for the FIFA Football Awards 2023 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)England soccer player Lauren James arrives for the FIFA Football Awards 2023 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)Former France soccer player Marcel Desailly arrives for the FIFA Football Awards 2023 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)Former United States soccer player Ali Krieger arrives for the FIFA Football Awards 2023 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)Former Brazil soccer player Roberto Carlos arrives for the FIFA Football Awards 2023 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)Former Brazil soccer player Ronaldo arrives for the FIFA Football Awards 2023 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)FILE - Colombia's Linda Caicedo kicks the ball during the Women's World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between England and Colombia at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023. FIFA’s player of the year awards are up for grabs Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 with the women’s award finalists being 2023 World Cup winners Aitana Bonmatí and Jenni Hermoso of Spain, plus Linda Caicedo of Colombia. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, file)FILE - Spain's Jennifer Hermoso reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Women's World Cup Group C soccer match between Japan and Spain in Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, July 31, 2023. FIFA’s player of the year awards are up for grabs Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 with the women’s award finalists being 2023 World Cup winners Aitana Bonmatí and Jenni Hermoso of Spain, plus Linda Caicedo of Colombia. (AP Photo/John Cowpland, File)FILE - Spain's Aitana Bonmatí celebrate after scoring against Switzerland during their women's Nations League group D soccer at the Nuevo Arcangel stadium in Cordoba, Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. FIFA’s player of the year awards are up for grabs Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 with the women’s award finalists being 2023 World Cup winners Aitana Bonmatí and Jenni Hermoso of Spain, plus Linda Caicedo of Colombia. (AP Photo/Jose Breton, file)
Interestingly, Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland also find themselves on the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or award, which Messi clinched for a record-breaking eighth time in October. This further highlights the extraordinary talent displayed by these three football titans.
Notably, the men's award for 'The Best' does not take into account the 2022 World Cup, where Messi's Argentina triumphed over Mbappé's France in a memorable final. Instead, it recognizes achievements from after the Qatar tournament until August 20th.
On the women's side, the finalists competing for the award include players who were instrumental in Spain's victorious 2023 World Cup campaign. Aitana Bonmatí and Jenni Hermoso, both part of the Spanish squad that lifted the trophy, are joined by Linda Caicedo of Colombia.
Bonmatí, aged 25, has already tasted success last year when she won the Ballon d'Or award. Her exceptional performances as a midfielder not only contributed to Spain's World Cup triumph but also helped Barcelona clinch the Spanish league and the Champions League titles last season.
Last year, Messi was honored with the FIFA men's award alongside Spain's Alexia Putellas, who claimed the women's prize. As anticipation builds for this year's event, football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the announcement of the winners in both categories.
No matter the outcome, the FIFA player of the year awards celebrate the skill, dedication, and sportsmanship of football's brightest stars. These individuals continue to inspire and captivate fans across the globe with their remarkable contributions to the beautiful game.
(Word Count: 364)
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
