FIFA The Best Awards: No Ronaldo but Messi nominated for Men’s Award; Rodri vs Vinicius Jr sub-plot continues beyond Ballon d’Or
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been nominated in the men’s category alongside Vinicius Jr, who boycotted the ceremony in October after he was convinced that he was snubbed.
Published : Nov 29, 2024 12:39 IST , Chennai - 1 MIN READ
The FIFA Best Player Award will recognise the leading players of the year of women’s and men’s football at both club and national-team levels. | Photo Credit: AP
FIFA has announced the nominees for ‘The Best’ Football Awards 2024, celebrating the year’s top players in women’s and men’s football at club and national levels.
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is among the men’s nominees, alongside Vinicius Jr., who boycotted the October ceremony, feeling overlooked. Vinicius, a key player in Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, and La Liga triumphs, was considered a frontrunner but did not attend the event after it was revealed no Real Madrid players would win the Ballon d’Or.
Rodri, meanwhile, became the first Manchester City player to claim the Ballon d’Or after spearheading Pep Guardiola’s side to a record fourth consecutive Premier League title and leading Spain to its fourth European Championship title, where he was named the tournament’s best player.
In the women’s category, Aitana Bonmati, the Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, is favoured after leading her club to a historic quadruple and helping Spain secure the Nations League. However, two-time winner Alexia Putellas is absent from the nominees.
The FIFA Puskás Award now recognises the best goal in men’s football, while the newly introduced FIFA Marta Award will honour the best goal scored in women’s football globally, named after the iconic Brazilian star.