In the men's category the candidates are Haaland, Mbappé and Messi
BARCELONA, 14 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish international players Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona) and Jennifer Hermoso (Pachuca) are two of the three nominated, along with the Colombian Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid), for the FIFA 'The Best' award for best player of this year, while in the men's category the candidates are Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Leo Messi.
The Spanish Aitana Bonmatí and Jennifer Hermoso almost made up a trio of finalists for 'The Best' thanks to their performance in the World Cup that Spain conquered, while the white striker Linda Caicedo opts to break with the favoritism that the Blaugrana have, above all, and the forward of Pachuca.
The winner of this award, which recognizes the best player in women's football between August 1, 2022 and August 20, 2023, the date of the FIFA Women's World Cup final, will be announced at a ceremony which will be held in London on January 16, 2024.
Bonmatí, Hermoso and Caicedo are the last three survivors of a total of 16 players who were initially nominated for the award by a panel of experts. They are the most nominated by an international jury with coaches and captains of women's national teams, journalists and fans who voted on the official FIFA website.
With a Ballon d'Or from the Women's World Cup, a UEFA Player of the Year award and a Ballon d'Or under her belt this year, Aitana Bonmatí is the favorite to win another major individual award and add it to those she achieved with Spain and with Barça Femení, current champion of the Women's Champions League and holder of a treble.
For her part, Jennifer Hermoso established herself in the World Cup as the top scorer in the history of the Spanish team, with three goals and two assists in the national team's victory in the championship, where she collected the Silver Ball.
In the men's category, the three finalists competing for 'The Best' are the Norwegian forward of Manchester City Erling Haaland, the French forward of PSG Kylian Mbappe and the Argentine attacker of Inter Miami Leo Messi.
The award recognizes the most outstanding players in men's football between December 19, 2022 and August 20, 2023 and the winner will be announced in London on January 15, 2024.
Just as in the women's category, these three nominees are the most voted for by coaches and captains, journalists and fans among a total of 12 players who were initially nominated by a panel of experts.