Fifa unveiled this Friday the three finalists for The Best award for the best player of the year 2021. PSG striker Lionel Messi is in this short list with the Polish Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), defending champion , and the Egyptian Mohamed Salah (Liverpool). The trophy will be awarded on January 17 during the grand annual FIFA gala in Zurich (Switzerland). Cristiano Ronaldo is not among the three finalists for the first time since 2010.
Ballon d’Or France Football on November 29 for the seventh time in his career, Lionel Messi is also applying for a seventh prize for the best Fifa player of the year. It should be remembered that the Golden Ball and the Fifa player’s trophy were a single prize between 2010 and 2015 (4 titles for Messi over this period). Renamed The Best since 2016, it was awarded to the former Barça player in 2019. The Argentinian had also won it in 2009.
Once again favorite, Lionel Messi should not however attend the ceremony. PSG has an appointment in Qatar and Saudi Arabia from January 16 to 20 for a winter training camp dedicated to various activities with sponsors. Gianluigi Donnarumma, nominated for the award for best goalkeeper, will be in the same case.
Among the women, the two Spaniards from Barça Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso are finalists. Chelsea striker Sam Kerr of Australia is the third named.