FIFA The Best Awards: No Ronaldo but Messi nominated for Men's Award

FIFA has announced the nominees for 'The Best' Football Awards 2024, celebrating the year's top players in women's and men's football at club and national levels. Ballon d'Or winner Rodri and Argentina great Lionel Messi are amongst the nominees.

In Short

• FIFA announced nominees for The Best Football Awards 2024
• Lionel Messi is shortlisted; Cristiano Ronaldo is not
• Rodri and Vinicius Jr. are major contenders with on-field success

FIFA has unveiled the nominees for its prestigious The Best Football Awards 2024, recognising the standout performers in men's and women's football across club and international competitions. While Lionel Messi makes the shortlist once again, his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo is notably absent for the first time in years.

Two of the biggest storylines come from Rodri and Vin­cius Jr., whose on-field successes have been coupled with off-field drama. Rodri, Manchester City's midfield maestro, enters the awards season as a strong contender following his historic Ballon d'Or win. The Spaniard was pivotal in City's treble-winning season, including a fourth consecutive Premier League title and a UEFA Champions League victory. Additionally, Rodri's stellar performances led Spain to their UEFA European Championship triumph, where he was named the tournament's best player.

Vinicius Jr., meanwhile, has continued to shine for Real Madrid, playing an instrumental role in their La Liga, Spanish Super Cup, and UEFA Champions League campaigns. However, controversy surrounds the Brazilian, who boycotted the October Ballon d'Or ceremony after learning that no Real Madrid players would win. His rivalry with Rodri now carries an extra edge as both vie for The Best FIFA Men's Player award.

The Best FIFA Men's Player nominees

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 Mbappe (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid
Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona
Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami
Rodri (Spain), Manchester City
Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)
Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Real Madrid

The Best FIFA Women's Player nominees

Aitana Bonmati (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 Lyonnais
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), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais
Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach nominees

Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil
Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic
Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USA
Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan
Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City
Jonatan Giraldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach nominees

Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina
Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain
Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City
Xabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper nominees

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/Paris Saint-Germain

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper nominees

Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid
David Raya (Spain), Arsenal
Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Aston Villa
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain
Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan
Unai Simon (Spain), Athletic Club