FIFA has revealed the nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024, highlighting stars like Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé. For the first time, fans can vote for the Men’s and Women’s World XI of the year.
The announcement includes nominees across various categories, recognizing the year’s top achievements in football: the Best Men’s and Women’s Players, Coaches, and Goalkeepers. A significant update to this year’s awards is that fans’ votes will carry the same weight as national team coaches and media votes. Additionally, fans can now vote for their picks in the Men’s and Women’s World XI for the first time.
Men’s Player of the Year Nominees
Lionel Messi, the previous winner, headlines the nominees alongside Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.
- Dani Carvajal (Spain, Real Madrid)
- Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City)
- Federico Valverde (Uruguay, Real Madrid)
- Florian Wirtz (Germany, Bayer Leverkusen)
- Jude Bellingham (England, Real Madrid)
- Kylian Mbappé (France, PSG-Real Madrid)
- Lamine Yamal (Spain, Barcelona)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina, Inter Miami)
- Rodri (Spain, Manchester City)
- Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)
- Vinícius Jr. (Brazil, Real Madrid)
Women’s Player of the Year Nominees
Aitana Bonmatí of Barcelona, the Ballon d’Or winner, is a strong favorite. Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen and Ona Batlle also feature prominently.
- Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona)
- Barbra Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli-Orlando Pride)
- Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona)
- Keira Walsh (England, Barcelona)
- Khadija Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City)
- Lauren Hemp (England, Manchester City)
- Lindsey Horan (USA, Olympique Lyon)
- Lucy Bronze (England, Barcelona-Chelsea)
- Mallory Swanson (USA, Chicago Red Stars)
- Mariona Caldentey (Spain, Barcelona-Arsenal)
- Naomi Girma (USA, San Diego Wave)
- Ona Batlle (Spain, Barcelona)
- Salma Paralluelo (Spain, Barcelona)
- Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns)
- Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, PSG-Olympique Lyon)
- Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit)
Coaches of the Year
Men’s Football
A competitive race sees Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) among the frontrunners, with Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen) as a dark horse.
- Carlo Ancelotti (Italy, Real Madrid)
- Lionel Scaloni (Argentina, Argentina National Team)
- Luis de la Fuente (Spain, Spain National Team)
- Pep Guardiola (Spain, Manchester City)
- Xabi Alonso (Spain, Bayer Leverkusen)
Women’s Football
Emma Hayes (Chelsea) and Jonatan Giráldez (Barcelona) are top contenders.
- Arthur Elias (Brazil, Brazil National Team)
- Elena Sadiku (Sweden, Celtic)
- Emma Hayes (England, Chelsea-USA)
- Futoshi Ikeda (Japan, Japan National Team)
- Gareth Taylor (England, Manchester City)
- Jonatan Giráldez (Spain, Barcelona-Washington Spirit)
- Sandrine Soubeyrand (France, Paris FC)
- Sonia Bompastor (France, Olympique Lyon-Chelsea)
Goalkeepers of the Year
Men’s Football
- Andriy Lunin (Ukraine, Real Madrid)
- David Raya (Spain, Arsenal)
- Ederson (Brazil, Manchester City)
- Emiliano Martínez (Argentina, Aston Villa)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy, PSG)
- Mike Maignan (France, AC Milan)
- Unai Simón (Spain, Athletic Club)
Women’s Football
- Alyssa Naeher (USA, Chicago Red Stars)
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany, Chelsea-NJ/NY Gotham)
- Ayaka Yamashita (Japan, INAC Kobe Leonessa-Manchester City)
- Cata Coll (Spain, Barcelona)
- Mary Earps (England, Manchester United-PSG)
Voting closes on December 10. The event will also feature the Puskás Award and the newly introduced Marta Award, recognizing the best goal in women’s football.
Cover photo: X (@FCBarcelona)
