Robert Lewandowski, holder of the trophy, is one of the three finalists for the Fifa “The Best” award for the best player of the year 2021, alongside Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah, while Alexia Putellas, winner of the Golden Ball, will compete for the women’s award, FIFA announced on Friday, January 7.
The Polish striker from Bayern Munich, disappointed after his second place behind Messi in the Golden Ball, has a chance to glean a new individual trophy at the ceremony scheduled for January 17 in Zurich. This time he will have to seduce more voters than the Argentinian, winner of the Copa America, and the Egyptian Mohamed Salah, who has scared the counters in Liverpool since the start of the season (16 goals and 11 assists in 20 matches of Premier League).
The Italian Jorginho, winner of the Euro, the Champions League and 3rd of the Golden Ball, did not manage to integrate the top 3. No more than Karim Benzema, 4th of the Golden Ball.
The final three in the running to be #TheBest FIFA Men’s Player 2021!
Who should be crowned #TheBest in the world?
@lewy_official | @pzpn_pl
Lionel Messi | @Argentina
@MoSalah | @E FA pic.twitter.com/1kVGi5nRZ9– FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 7, 2022
For the women’s prize, the Ballon d’Or podium is renewed, with the two Barcelona girls Jennifer Hermoso and Alexia Putellas, accompanied by the Australian from Chelsea, Sam Kerr. One of these three players will succeed the Englishwoman Lucy Bronze, winner of the award for the year 2020.
The winners are selected by an international jury made up of coaches, captains, journalists as well as online supporters from around the world. The vote has been closed since December 10, 2021.
All three, history-makers. The final shortlist for #TheBest FIFA Women’s Player 2021 is here.
Who will be #TheBest in the world? @Jennihermoso @ samkerr1 @alexiaputellas pic.twitter.com/9ZM8KQBrEB
– FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) January 7, 2022
Fifa also designates the goal of the year, via the Puskas prize, as well as the best goalkeeper and the best goalkeeper. For men, Manuel Neuer, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Edouard Mendy are finalists.
A prize for the best coach is also awarded: Roberto Mancini (Italy), Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea) and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) have been selected for the men, while for the women’s teams, the trophy will be awarded to Lluis Cortés (FC Barcelona), Emma Hayes (Chelsea) or Sarina Wiegman, England coach.