The Best FIFA Men's Player: Nominees in focus

Eleven exceptional players in contention for award
Lionel Messi has won the accolade for the past two years
Fans can now vote for their standout candidate

Jude Bellingham

Bellingham enjoyed an exceptional maiden season with Real Madrid, winning a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double. He netted 23 goals in 42 matches across all competitions, including match-winning strikes in two Clasico showdowns with Barcelona. The 21-year-old then helped England reach the UEFA EURO 2024 final, with his acrobatic last-gasp equaliser in a last-16 win over Slovakia one of the tournament’s most memorable moments.

Dani Carvajal

Carvajal was figure of consistency and class for club and country throughout 2023/24. His standout contribution came in the Champions League final, when his fine glancing header opened the scoring in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. The experienced right-back then played an important role in Spain’s EURO 2024 triumph, starting five of their seven matches, including the final win over England.

Erling Haaland

Haaland has continued to score at a barely credible rate for Manchester City and Norway. He fired his club to an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row, scoring 27 goals in 31 top-flight games to win the Golden Boot prize. The powerhouse striker has also been in lethal form at international level. At the age of just 24, he has already become Norway’s all-time leading marksman, having netted 38 times in just 39 senior appearances.

Toni Kroos

Kroos brought the curtain down on his stellar career in typical fashion, lifting a trio of trophies with Real Madrid. The elegant midfielder, whose range of passing continued to delight even in the twilight of his career, was an integral part of the all-conquering Real squad who lifted the UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Supercopa de Espana trophies. The dream of more international glory with Germany was too much to ask, though, as Kroos and his team-mates exited UEFA EURO 2024 in the quarter-finals at the hands of eventual winners Spain.

Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe fired Paris St Germain to a league and cup double in his final season with French giants. With 27 goals in 29 Ligue 1 games in 2023/24, he won the division’s Golden Boot award for an astonishing sixth consecutive campaign. Mbappe also struck eight times in PSG’s run to the Champions League semi-finals and was the competition’s joint top-scorer alongside Harry Kane. The striker, who helped France reach the last four at EURO 2024, completed a move to Real Madrid in July.

Lionel Messi

Messi may be 37 years old, but he continues to have a huge influence for Inter Miami and Argentina. His inspirational performances helped his club follow up their 2023 Leagues Cup triumph by winning the 2024 Supporters’ Shield – the title awarded to the MLS team with the best regular-season record. Messi also captained Argentina to Copa America glory and finished the year as the leading scorer in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifying with six goals.

Rodri

Rodri was at the heart of Manchester City and Spain’s respective successes over the past 12 months. The midfield general’s leadership, composure and technical excellence was on show throughout City’s victorious Premier League campaign, while he also starred as they won the FIFA Club World Cup 2023™. He was recognised with the competition’s adidas Golden Ball Award – and was also named Player of the Tournament at EURO 2024.

Federico Valverde

Valverde was a near ever-present for Real Madrid during their La Liga and Champions League-winning season. A midfielder with high football intelligence, an excellent passing range and phenomenal stamina, he played more minutes for the club than any other squad member in 2023/24. Valverde was also a key figure for Uruguay as they finished third at the Copa America 2024.

Vinicius Jr

Vinicius enjoyed the most spectacular season of his career in 2023/24. The electrifying forward regularly produced match-defining moments for Real Madrid, as he racked up 24 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions. His highlights included a goal in their Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund and a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final.

Florian Wirtz

Wirtz dazzled during Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable 2023/24 campaign, in which they won a league and cup double and reached the UEFA Europa League final. Creative and clinical, the 21-year-old playmaker registered 18 goals and 20 assists in all competitions. Wirtz has also established himself with senior Germany national team and scored twice at EURO 2024.

Lamine Yamal

Yamal has further enhanced his status as one of the most exciting talents of his generation. The forward, who only turned 17 in July 2024, has emerged as one of Barcelona’s most valuable players and lit up EURO 2024 with a series of stunning displays. He provided four assists and scored one goal during Spain’s run to the title. His fabulous curling strike against France in the semi-final won the competition’s Goal of the Tournament prize – and he also took the award for the competition’s best young player.