Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi, and French talisman, Kylian Mbappe, have been nominated for the 2023 Best FIFA Men’s Player award.
Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland, and his teammates, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri were among the nominees for the award.
Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice, who led West Ham to the Europa Conference League title last season, was also included on the 12-strong list.
FIFA, in a statement on Thursday, said the 12 contenders were nominated based on their achievements from December 19, 2022 – the day after current award-holder Messi helped Argentina to World Cup glory – to August 20, 2023.
The world football governing body added that each of the nominees was recognised for their sustained excellence over that period.
There were also four victorious Spanish players on the Best Women’s Player list, hoping to succeed last year’s winner Alexia Putellas, including Jenni Hermoso.
The women’s prizes, FIFA said, will be awarded on performances from August 1, 2022, to August 20, 2023.
READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Osimhen, Oshoala, Messi, Saka nominated for Ballon d’Or
The nominees were shortlisted by a panel of football experts who reviewed longer lists compiled by FIFA based on the candidates’ achievements during the respective award eligibility periods.
The player, goalkeeper, and coach awards will be decided by an international jury of coaches, captains, journalists, and fans.
Osimhen, 24, won the Serie A title with Napoli last season scoring 26 goals in the league (31 goals in 39 games across all competitions).
Osimhen, who was the league’s top scorer last season, was named in the 2022-23 Serie A Team of the Season.
See the nominees below:
Best FIFA Women’s Player Nominees
Aitana Bonmati (Spain); Linda Caicedo (Colombia); Rachel Daly (England); Kadidiatou Diani (France); Caitlin Foord (Australia); Mary Fowler (Australia); Alex Greenwood (England); Jennifer Hermoso (Spain); Lindsey Horan (USA); Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden); Lauren James (England); Sam Kerr (Australia); Mapi Leon (Spain); Hinata Miyazawa (Japan); Salma Paralluelo (Spain); Keira Walsh (England).
Best FIFA Men’s Player Nominees
Julian Alvarez (Argentina); Marcelo Brozovic (Croatia); Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium); Ilkay Gundogan (Germany); Erling Haaland (Norway); Rodri (Spain); Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia); Kylian Mbappe (France); Lionel Messi (Argentina); Victor Osimhen (Nigeria); Declan Rice (England); Bernardo Silva (Portugal).
Best FIFA Women’s Coach Nominees
Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden): Jonatan Giraldez (Spain); Tony Gustavsson (Sweden); Emma Hayes (England); Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands).
Best FIFA Men’s Coach Nominees
Pep Guardiola (Spain); Simone Inzaghi (Italy); Ange Postecoglou (Australia); Luciano Spalletti (Italy); Xavi (Spain).
Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Nominees
Mackenzie Arnold (Australia); Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany); Catalina Coll (Spain); Mary Earps (England); Christiane Endler (Chile); Zecira Musovic (Sweden); Sandra Panos Garcia-Villamil (Spain).
Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Nominees
Yassine Bounou (Morocco); Thibaut Courtois (Belgium); Ederson (Brazil); Andre Onana (Cameroon); Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany).
FIFA Fan Award Nominees
Club Atlético Colon de Santa Fe fan (Argentina); Fran Hurndall (England); Miguel Ángel, Millonarios fan (Colombia).
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