No Ronaldo, lots of youngsters and a super league star
Fifa publishes “The Best” shortlists
Cristiano Ronaldo is missing a big name on Fifa’s world footballer shortlist, but there are many youngsters. Sion star Mario Balotelli has also been nominated in another category.
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Fifa presents the nominees for the “The Best” awards.
Next low blow for Cristiano Ronaldo (37): There is no trace of the Portuguese on the shortlist for the footballer of the year published by Fifa. But the list makes it clear how the aspiring new generation is conquering world football. Six of the 14 nominees are under 25 years old.
The nomination of Argentinian Julian Alvarez should cause a surprise when looking at the list. The 22-year-old was world champion with Argentina in Qatar and played a significant part in that with four goals. However, the striker at his club Manchester City is usually only the second choice behind his team-mate Erling Haaland (22), who is also nominated, and has scored only three goals in 13 Premier League games.
Two Bundesliga pros there – PSG dominates
There are also two Bundesliga stars with Jude Bellingham (19) from BVB and Sadio Mané (30) from Bayern Munich. Champions League winner Real Madrid meanwhile has three players in Vinicius Junior (22), Luka Modric (37) and Karim Benzema (35).
Paris St. Germain has the most players on the list: With Achraf Hakimi (24), Neymar (30), Kylian Mbappé (24) and Lionel Messi (35), four nominees wear the jersey of the French champion.
Barça and Arsenal dominate women’s choice
It will become clear at the beginning of February whether the decision will result in a new edition of the big World Cup final duel between Mbappé and Messi. Then Fifa communicates the three finalists of the election.
Arsenal and Barcelona dominate the women’s selection: six nominated players are under contract with the two clubs. The favorites are probably the Spaniard Alexia Putellas (28), the Australian Sam Kerr (29) or the English Beth Mead (27)
Goal of the year for FC Sion?
And a bit of the Super League is also represented at the gala: Sion star Mario Balotelli (32) has been nominated for the Fifa Puskas Award, the title for the most beautiful goal of the year. However, this was for a goal that he did not score in the Valais jersey, but last May for the Turkish first division club Adana Demirspor.
The Italian scandal professional closed after a solo with a remarkable “Rabona shot” and hit the far corner. Shortly after the goal, the feat went viral on the internet and was celebrated by millions of fans.
Just a few months later, after a dispute with the Adana coach, “Super-Mario” finally moved to western Switzerland and has scored five goals in nine games with the Sioners so far. (bjl)