Lionel Messi, who won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and top scorer Kylian Mbappe (above Paris Saint-Germain) have been nominated for the best male player of the International Football Federation (FIFA). On the other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nasr) was not included in the nomination for the first time. On the morning of the 13th (Korean time), FIFA announced the nominees for the Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 by category through its website. There are eight categories of awards, including the best male and female players, male and female coaches, male and female goalkeepers, best fans, and Pushka awards. Winners in each category will be announced at the awards ceremony held in Paris, France on the 27th of next month.
The most eye-catching is the best male player category. 14 players have been named as candidates, but Messi and Mbafe are considered as strong candidates. Messi led Argentina to its first championship in 36 years with 7 points and 3 assists in the Qatar World Cup, which ended last month, and Mbappe scored 8 goals and became the top scorer. Messi is aiming for the first award in his life after 3 years since 2019, and Mbappe. The best male player was awarded in the name of FIFA Player of the Year from 1991 to 2009. For the first time, Ronaldo suffered the humiliation of not being nominated for the best male player. 온라인바카라