World Cup winner and PSG forward, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Karim Benzema were on Friday announced as the three finalists for FIFA’s The Best award for last year.
Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas of Spain, England forward Beth Mead, and US star Alex Morgan were nominated for the top women’s prize.
Paris Saint-Germain team-mates Messi and Mbappe, who faced each other in last year’s World Cup final, are competing along with Benzema to succeed Robert Lewandowski, winner of the FIFA award in 2020 and 2021.
Africa Today News, New York recalls that Benzema won last year’s Ballon d’Or for his performances with Real Madrid but missed the World Cup because of injury.
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Barcelona and Spain midfielder Putellas won the women’s award last time and is nominated again despite being out since July after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.
Arsenal striker Beth Mead, runner-up to Putellas for the Ballon d’Or in October, is also currently sidelined with a long-term knee injury.
The winners will be revealed on February 27 in Paris. They will be voted for by a jury made up of national team coaches and captains as well as journalists and fans.
There are also prizes for the best male and female coach, the best goalkeeper, and the Puskas Award for the best goal of 2022.
Messi could win his second The Best trophy after leading Argentina to their third World Cup title by beating Mbappe’s France in last year’s final in Qatar, scoring seven goals during the tournament and earning his second Golden ball.
United States forward Alex Morgan, who was a finalist in 2019, completes the list.
Africa Today News, New York reports that the winners will be announced on Feb. 27 during a ceremony in Paris.