World Cup stars make up shortlist for 2018 FIFA Best player award

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Argentina’s Lionel Messi and eight 2018 FIFA World Cup great performers have been nominated for the 2018 FIFA Best Men’s player award.

According to a statement by FIFA, the players have been nominated based on their performance for the period between 3rd July 2017 to 15 July 2018.

The just-concluded Russia showpiece was won by France after they defeated Croatia in the final, and star forward Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Raphael Varane were included in the shortlist for the award.

Croatia’s Luka Modric, who led his country to their first ever final of the World Cup and also a part of the Real Madrid side that won a third consecutive Champions League, was also shortlisted.

Belgium defeated England to secure third place at the competition, and forward Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne are both gunning for the FIFA award.

England’s Harry Kane won the Golden Boot award for the highest goal scorer. He scored 6 goals to help England reach the last four for the first time since 1990. He is also on the award shortlist.

Salah’s Egypt did not perform as expected but the Liverpool forward already made a name for himself after a great first season with the Reds in the Premier League and Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo took Portugal to the second round in Russia, scoring four goals, while Messi netted only once and also helped Argentina reach the last 16.

Voting for the award closes at midnight on 10 August; FIFA will announce the final list of three nominees in early September while the awards ceremony takes place in London on 24 September.

The Full shortlist
Cristiano Ronaldo – Juventus & Portugal
Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City & Belgium
Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid & France
Eden Hazard – Chelsea & Belgium
Harry Kane – Tottenham & England
Kylian Mbappe – Paris St-Germain & France
Lionel Messi – Barcelona & Argentina
Luka Modric – Real Madrid & Croatia
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool & Egypt
Raphael Varane – Real Madrid & France

Meanwhile, nominees for The Best FIFA Women’s Player include: Lucy Bronze (England/Olympique Lyonnais); Pernille Harder (Denmark/VfL Wolfsburg); Ada Hegerberg (Norway/Olympique Lyonnais); Amandine Henry (France/Olympique Lyonnais); Samantha Kerr (Australia/Sky Blue FC/Perth Glory FC/Chicago Red Stars); Saki Kumagai (Japan/Olympique Lyonnais); Dzsenifer Marozsán (Germany/ Olympique Lyonnais); Marta (Brazil/Orlando Pride); Megan Rapinoe (USA/Seattle Reign FC); Wendie Renard (France/Olympique Lyonnais).