FIFA announced the annual The Best awards nominees. The winners will be declared on December 17, 2020.
The FIFA Men’s Player nominees are Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo, FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski. After winning five trophies with Bayern and becoming the top scorer of the UEFA Champions League, Lewandowski is the most deserving of the award this year.
The inclusion of Messi and Ronaldo among the top three finalists caused a controversy. Former Manchester United player Dimitar Berbatov told Betfair, “I’m surprised Ronaldo and Messi are among finalists for the FIFA Best award as I’m not sure they deserved to be there.”
Berbatov said, “The best player in 2020 should go to Lewandowski, and if it doesn’t then it’s clear we’ve seen a great injustice”.
The FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper nominees are Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer and Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak. Neuer is probably the most worthy of the award after a great season with Bayern Munich. The German goalkeeper won the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award and is regarded as one of the best of all time.
The FIFA Men’s Coach nominees are Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, Leeds United’s Marcelo Bielsa and Bayern Munich’s Hans Dieter Flick. Klopp had a great season with Liverpool after winning the Premier League and Flick did a tremendous job with Bayern Munich. Flick took over Bayern as an interim coach, but later won five trophies. Bielsa managed to promote Leeds United to the Premier League.
The FIFA Puskas Award nominees are Tottenham’s Son Heung Min, Atletico Madrid’s Luis Suarez and Flamingo’s Giorgian De Arrascaeta. All three players scored equally beautiful goals.
The FIFA Men’s World 11 is selected from 55 players. A goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders and forwards will all be selected to make the best team of eleven players according to voters.
The final results will be decided by journalists, national team coaches and football players.
