No Cristiano Ronaldo In FIFA Best Men's Player Nominations; Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe Shortlisted

Ronaldo has lifted the prestigious trophy twice in the past.

Other than Messi, the only other player from Argentina on the 14-member shortlist is Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez.

Source : AFP

There was no place for Cristiano Ronaldo in the FIFA Best Men's Player Nominations after an underwhelming season which saw him getting benched not only for his club but also for his country. However, his long time rival Lionel Messi has made it to the shortlist after leading Argentina to a historic FIFA World World Cup victory. Notably, Ronaldo has lifted the trophy twice previously.

Kylian Mbappe, who was in the opposition bench when Argentina won the World Cup, also finds his name on the list, ending the tournament with the highest goals including a hat-trick in the summit clash. Mbappe's national teammate, Karim Benzema, despite missing out on a World Cup berth, also finds his name among the nominees.

The only other player from Argentina on the 14-member shortlist is  Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez. 

For Best FIFA Women's Player award, Sam Kerr, Beth Mead and Alex Morgan find their names in the shortlist.

Nominees for Best FIFA Men’s Player award:

Julián Álvarez (Argentina / River Plate / Manchester City FC)
Jude Bellingham (England / BV Borussia 09 Dortmund)
Karim Benzema (France / Real Madrid CF)
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium / Manchester City FC)
Erling Haaland (Norway / BV Borussia 09 Dortmund / Manchester City FC)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland / FC Bayern München / FC Barcelona)
Sadio Mané (Senegal / Liverpool FC / FC Bayern München)
Kylian Mbappé (France / Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain)
Luka Modrić (Croatia / Real Madrid CF)
Neymar (Brazil / Paris Saint-Germain)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool FC)
Vinícius Junior (Brazil / Real Madrid CF)

Nominees for Best FIFA Women’s Player award:

Aitana Bonmatí (Spain / FC Barcelona)
Debinha (Brazil / North Carolina Courage)
Jessie Fleming (Canada / Chelsea FC Women)
Ada Hegerberg (Norway / Olympique Lyonnais)
Sam Kerr (Australia / Chelsea FC Women)
Beth Mead (England / Arsenal WFC)
Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands / Arsenal WFC)
Alex Morgan (USA / Orlando Pride / San Diego Wave)
Lena Oberdorf (Germany / VfL Wolfsburg)
Alexandra Popp (Germany / VfL Wolfsburg)
Alexia Putellas (Spain / FC Barcelona)
Wendie Renard (France / Olympique Lyonnais)
Keira Walsh (England / Manchester City WFC / FC Barcelona)
Leah Williamson (England / Arsenal WFC)

While the world football governing body will reveal three finalists each from the men's and women's categories in early next month, the names of the winners will be announced on February 27 in Paris.