FIFA announced the names of the three finalists for The Best, the award that names the best player in the world. Lewandowski (Bayern and Poland), Messi (Barcelona and Argentina) and Cristiano (Juventus and Portugal) they are the three that have obtained the most votes among the initial candidates. The Pole starts with an advantage after winning absolutely everything in 2020, including the Champions League and the Bundesliga in which he was also the top scorer.
The final winners will be announced on December 17th through a virtual gala in Zurich. Messi defends the crown he conquered last year, although 2020 has not been especially good for him and that makes him have fewer options to repeat. Remember that this year the Ballon d'Or is not awarded and therefore The Best is the best individual award that players can win.
The names of the finalists were also announced and the chosen ones are Marcelo Bielsa (Leeds), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool) and Hansi Flick (Bayern). As with Lewandowski in the players, Bavarian coach Flick seems the favorite to win the prize.
In addition, the finalists for best goalkeeper were confirmed. Another representative of a Spanish club sneaks into them. It is Jan Oblak (Atlético), who will fight for the prize with Alisson (Liverpool) and Neuer (Bayern), the big favorite.
It was also published that De Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Heung Min Son (Tottenham) and Luis Suárez (Barcelona / Atlético) They are the final three chosen to be eligible for the Puskas Award, which distinguishes them as the authors of the best goal of the year.
Female category
The Best will also recognize, one more year, the best in women's football. The three footballers competing for the award are Lucy Bronce (City), Pernille Harder (Chelsea) and Wendie Renard (Lyon). The fight to be the best promises to be very even between them.
The finalists for best coach are Emma Hayes (Chelsea), Jean Luc Vasseur (Lyon) and SArina Wiegman (Netherlands). Finally, the best goalkeeper will come from Sarah Bouhaddi (Lyon), Christiane Endler (Chile) and Alissa Naeher (Chicago). In the women's section, the journalist from Diario AS, Amalia Fra, has a vote.
Finalists of The Best 2020
The Best FIFA Player Award:
- Lucy Bronze (England / Olympique Lyonnais / Manchester City WFC)
- Pernille Harder (Denmark / VfL Wolfsburg / Chelsea FC Women)
- Wendie Renard (France / Olympique Lyonnais)
The Best FIFA Player Award:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Juventus FC)
- Robert Lewandowski (Poland / FC Bayern München)
- Lionel Messi (Argentina / FC Barcelona)
The Best FIFA Goalkeeper Award:
- Sarah Bouhaddi (France / Olympique Lyonnais)
- Christiane Endler (Chile / Paris Saint-Germain)
- Alyssa Naeher (USA / Chicago Red Stars)
The Best FIFA Goalkeeper Award:
- Alisson Becker (Brazil / Liverpool FC)
- Manuel Neuer (Germany / FC Bayern München)
- Jan Oblak (Slovenia / Atlético de Madrid)
The Best FIFA Women's Coach Award:
- Emma Hayes (England / Chelsea FC Women)
- Jean-Luc Vasseur (France / Olympique Lyonnais)
- Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / Dutch national team)
The Best FIFA Men's Soccer Coach Award:
- Marcelo Bielsa (Argentina / Leeds United FC)
- Hans-Dieter Flick (Germany / FC Bayern München)
- Jürgen Klopp (Germany / Liverpool FC)
FIFA Puskás Award:
- Giorgian de Arrscatea – Ceará SC – CR Flamengo (Brasileirão. Brazil) (August 25, 2019)
- Son Heung-min (KOR): Tottenham Hotspur FC v Burnley FC (Premier League. England) (December 7, 2019)
- Luis Suárez – FC Barcelona – RCD Mallorca (LaLiga. Spain) (December 7, 2019)