Messi, Rodri, Vinicius Battle For 2024 FIFA Best Awards
The trio of Lionel Messi, Vinicius Junior, and Rodri will battle it out for the men’s player of the year award at the 2024 FIFA Best Awards.
Lionel Messi, who led Inter Miami FC to the Supporters’ Shield title, their first trophy in Major League Soccer since their debut in 2020, is the only player nominated outside Europe.
He also won the 2024 Copa America trophy with Argentina in July.
The former Barcelona star scored 29 goals, and recorded 13 assists for club and country in 2024 to make it to the list.
Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri, and his Manchester City teammate, Erling Haaland are the only players nominated for the men’s player award after they led the club to an historic fourth Premier League title in a row.
Rodri also played a pivotal role in leading Spain to the European Championship title in July.
He was named the player of the tournament, adding it to the Most Valuable Player in the FIFA World Club Cup, which Man City won in December.
The last time Rodri lost a Premier League game was a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham in February 2023.
He also went 74 games – and 475 days – without experiencing defeat for club, and country during the past year, with the run coming to an end in the FA Cup final against Manchester United in May.
Vinicius also enjoyed a successful year, leading Real Madrid to Champions League, and La Liga titles and also chipping in 24 goals and 11 assists for Real Madrid in all competitions last season.
Other nominees for the award are: Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Erling Haaland, Frederico Valverde, Florian Wirtz, Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, and Toni Kroos.
Spain’s title-winning coach, Luis de la Fuente will slug it out with Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Lionel Scaloni, and Xabi Alonso for the coach of the year award.
In the goalkeeper of the year category, Unai Simon, Mike Maignan, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Emiliano Martinez, Ederson, David Raya, and Andriy Lunin will all battle it out for the top award.
The award winners will be decided by votes from fans, current captains and coaches of all women’s and men’s national teams, and media representatives.
Lionel Messi beat Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe to the award in 2023 after scoring 48 points.
Messi, Rodri, Vinicius Battle For 2024 FIFA Best Awards is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
