Alexia and Messi, for the double: Ballon d’Or and The Best 2021

It is not the best time for Leo Messi and that puts in check his possible appointment today as The Best, the award for the best player in the world for FIFA. Lewandowski and Salah, the other two finalists, threaten to take away an honor with which the Argentine would complete his double of awards in 2021: Ballon d’Or and The Best. The award ceremony will take place virtually from the FIFA headquarters (Zurich) at 19:00.

The conquest of the Ballon d’Or by Messi a month ago has already generated a lot of debate. Then only the correspondents of France Football voted, as always happens with the prize of the French publication. Many more football players are included in The Best, which makes it more democratic. Captains, coaches and fans, in addition to journalists, have the right to vote in the same percentage.

The dispersion of the vote makes it difficult for Messi to be the winner. Some consider that the Copa America conquered last year is little baggage, in addition to the fact that the competition from Lewandowski (winner last season) and Salah is very strong. Both were the absolute goalscoring kings of the Premier and the Bundesliga and have the support of important markets such as Central Europe and the Arab world.

Alexia Putellas, clear favorite for The Best female

Fewer doubts, almost none, remain in women’s football, where Alexia Putellas has the same double within reach. The captain of Barça and the National Team stands out as the great favorite to succeed the Englishwoman Lucy Bronze (The Best 2020) after being the first Spaniard to win a Ballon d’Or. Her teammate, Jenni Hermoso, accompanies her as a finalist along with Chelsea’s Australian, Sam Kerr, who were second and third in the Ballon d’Or, where Alexia won with a overwhelming advantage.

A story that, with great certainty, will be repeated today in Zurich to close a brilliant year of the Catalan, who led Barça to the League, Cup and Champions League treble with 29 goals and 24 assists. At 27 years old, the one from Mollet del Vallès will extend her legacy this Monday with a The Best that once again rewards her work on and off the pitch.

In this award, the figure of Jenni Hermoso, Barça and the Spanish National Team’s all-time top scorer, will also be raised again. The striker from Madrid has been the queen of goals in the Primera Iberdrola for three years in a row, a title that was extended to Europe with the Pichichi of the last Champions League.

In addition, The Best will also be announced for best coach in the male category (Guardiola, Mancini o Tuchel) and female (Lluís Cortés, Emma Hayes and Wiegman), best goalkeeper (Donnarumma, Mendy o Neuer) and goalkeeper (Berger, Endler and Labbé), the Puskas for the best goal (Lamela, Schick or Taremi), the Best Hobby and the Fair Play (selection of Denmark, Ranieri or Scott Brown).