Today, Friday, the International Federation of Football Associations announced that Argentine star Lionel Messi is on the shortlist for the Best Male Player award, along with his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Reuters reported that Messi may win his second title after he led Argentina to win the World Cup title for the third time by defeating France, led by Mbappe, in last year’s final in Qatar, by scoring seven goals during the tournament and earning his second Golden Ball.
World Cup Golden Boot winner Mbappe and 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema made their debuts among the three finalists.
Spain midfielder Alexia Potellas could win the Women’s Player of the Year award for the second year in a row despite being sidelined since July with a knee injury.
Forward Beth Mead has also been nominated after leading England to Euro 2022 as the tournament’s top scorer and player of the tournament.
American striker Alex Morgan, who reached the final in 2019, completes the list.
The winners will be announced on February 27 during a ceremony in Paris.
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