With the Ballon d’Or dust settled, we turn our attention to the second-most popular individual award for male soccer players: The Best FIFA Men’s Player. On November 28, FIFA released the 11-man shortlist for this year, featuring last year’s winner Lionel Messi, six members from Real Madrid — Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham — Manchester City duo Rodri and Erling Haaland, European champion Lamine Yamal, and Bayer Leverkusen ace Florian Wirtz. The candidates on this list have been selected based on their performances from August 21, 2023, to August 10, 2024.
FIFA’s The BEST list features some of the best players in the business but only a handful have a realistic chance of winning the award in 2024. Here are the top five players who are leading the race for the prestigious accolade:
#5 Lamine Yamal – Barcelona / Spain
Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal enjoyed a breathtaking 2023-24 season. Under Xavi’s tutelage, he became a regular in the Barca first team and rewarded his coach’s faith in him by delivering numerous eye-catching performances. Throughout the 2023-24 season, he played 50 games for the club in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists.
Yamal’s finest spell, however, came for Spain in the 2024 European Championship. He scored once and provided four assists as La Roja claimed the title. The 17-year-old deservedly won the Best Young Player of the Tournament award for his age-defying heroics.
#4 Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid / England
Jude Bellingham made a big-money switch from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid at the start of the 2023-24 season. The Englishman hit the ground running in the Spanish capital, chipping in with goals and assists on cue. Injuries hurt his progress, but he still ended the season with an admirable tally of 23 goals and 13 assists in 42 games. Bellingham, who was the 2023-24 La Liga Player of the Season, helped Real Madrid win La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the Supercopa de Espana.
Bellingham was also the most decisive member of the England team that reached the European Championship final. He scored two goals and provided an assist throughout the competition.
#3 Dani Carvajal – Real Madrid / Spain
Dani Carvajal was a rock at the back for Real Madrid and Spain last season. The right-back led Real Madrid valiantly throughout the 2023-24 season, popping up with decisive defensive interventions as well as match-turning offensive contributions.
Over the course of the campaign, Carvjal scored six goals and provided five assists in 41 games for Los Blancos, helping them win La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and Supercopa de Espana. Carvajal scored the first of Real Madrid’s two goals against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final, taking home the Man of the Match award.
Carvajal was also a key cog in Luis de la Fuente’s Spain as they marched on to the 2024 European Championship title. Playing five matches, Carvajal found the back of the net once.
#2 Rodri – Manchester City / Spain
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is one of the favorites to win The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award. He enjoyed a memorable campaign in 2023-24, both for Manchester City and Spain. The gifted defensive midfielder scored eight goals and provided nine assists as Man City won the Premier League title ahead of Arsenal, becoming the first team in history to win four English titles on the bounce.
Rodri brought his sensational form over to EURO 2024, helping Spain win a record fourth championship. The midfield maestro scored one goal in six games in the competition, with his metronomic performances securing him the Player of the Tournament award.
#1 Vinicius Jr. – Real Madrid / Brazil
At the summit sits Vinicius Jr., who shockingly came second in the 2024 Ballon d’Or race. The Brazilian winger enjoyed his career-best campaign for Real Madrid in 2023-24, scoring mesmerizing goals and providing exceptional assists as Los Merengues won La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the Supercopa de Espana.
Despite suffering multiple injuries, Vinicius Jr. scored 24 goals in 39 games last term. He famously scored a hat-trick against Barcelona in the final of Supercopa de Espana and netted the insurance goal in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final. Vinicius also popped up with 11 assists.
Vinicius Jr., however, had a disappointing Copa America campaign, as he scored twice in three Group D games before Brazil exited the competition in the quarter-finals. The left-winger was out injured for the Selecao’s defeat to Uruguay in the last eight.
