Cristiano Ronaldo was left off the 14-player shortlist for the annual Best FIFA Men’s Player award for the first time, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé among those selected.
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Ronaldo, who was released by Manchester United and benched by Portugal during the World Cup, won the FIFA award the first two times it was handed out — in 2016 and 2017 — and was among the three finalists the following three years.
This was the first time he was not even selected as a contender by a FIFA-appointed expert panel.
The players were shortlisted following their performances on the pitch for both club and country in 2022. However, the winner of this year’s award ceremony might most likely be selected from the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Messi was fantastic for Argentina from the first game till the last game for the South Americans leading them to their third World Cup title.
Kylian Mbappe is also part of the nominated players for the award following his exploits, especially in the final against Argentina. He won the golden boot of the competition, finding the back of the net, eight times.
Karim Benzema is one of three Real Madrid players for the award. Vinicius Jnr and Luka Modric were key parts of the success enjoyed by their countries at the World Cup while Benzema was ruled out of the competition because of injury but he has a shout at the award following his part in Real Madrid winning the UEFA Champions League.
PSG’s Neymar and Achraf Hakimi were also nominated for the award.
Hakimi helped Morocco reach the semi-final of the World Cup while Neymar also played his part in taking his country to the quarter-finals.
Other players on the list are, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah.
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