Best trophy: another terrible rejection for Cristiano Ronaldo

The list of nominees for the Best Man trophy was released on Thursday. Cristiano Ronaldo is not one of them. Like the France Football Ballon d’Or, it was decided that it was no longer legitimate to aim for the biggest individual awards.

Ronaldo was therefore ignored even though he won the FIFA Best Player title twice (2016 and 2017). However, his omission is not a big surprise, considering he has not appeared on the podium since 2020.

Messi candidate for his succession

Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are among the candidates for the title of best FIFA men’s player in 2023.

Messi, a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, is the current holder of the most prestigious individual award given out by world football’s governing body. He is back to defend his crown after helping Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

Mbappé, the only French name

Haaland is another major contender for the top prize after contributing his 52 goals to Manchester City’s historic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in 2022-23. Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick for the Blues in the World Cup final, is also among the contenders. He is also the only French person nominated.

England international Rice captained West Ham to victory in the Europa Conference League last season. He deserves his appointment and it will certainly please his new club Arsenal.

Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva join teammate Haaland on the list of candidates. Rodri, after his winning goal in the 2023 Champions League final, is also on the list along with his former teammate Ilkay Gundogan at the Etihad Stadium, who led City to their memorable victory before moving to Barcelona.