Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Karim Benzema are the three finalists for this year’s FIFA’s The Best award, announced Friday.
The award recognizes the top male footballer of the previous year, with Messi and Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain, and Benzema of Real Madrid competing to succeed Robert Lewandowski as the winner.
Meanwhile, Alexia Putellas of Spain, Beth Mead of England, and Alex Morgan of the United States were announced as the three finalists for the women’s award.
Putellas, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner, is the reigning champion of the award, while Mead, the runner-up for the Ballon d’Or in October, and Morgan, the US star, are both looking to take home the trophy for the first time.
Despite both Putellas and Mead being currently out of action due to knee injuries, their outstanding performances in the previous year have earned them a place in the running for the top prize.
The winners of the awards will be determined through a voting process by a jury made up of national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans. The announcement of the winners will take place on February 27 in Paris.
In addition to the awards for the top male and female players, FIFA will also announce the best male and female coach, the best goalkeeper, and the Puskas Award for the best goal of 2022.
