The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024: Full List of Nominees – Cristiano Ronaldo Misses Out

The countdown to the prestigious The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024 has officially begun, with the announcement of this year’s nominees sparking excitement among football fans worldwide. Dominated by standout performers and iconic teams, the nominees include some of the most talented players, coaches, and goalkeepers in the game today.

The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2024: Real Madrid Stars Dominate

The nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2024 spotlight Real Madrid’s strong influence on world football. Six of the 10 nominees have played for the Spanish giants over the last year, showcasing their dominance on both domestic and international stages.

The full list of nominees includes:

• Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid
• Fede Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid
• Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid
• Vinícius Júnior (Brazil), Real Madrid
• Kylian Mbappé (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid
• Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (retired)
• Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City
• Rodri (Spain), Manchester City
• Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona
• Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami

Lionel Messi, last year’s winner, aims to secure the award for a third consecutive year, continuing his stellar career after transitioning to MLS with Inter Miami. Erling Haaland and Rodri, instrumental in Manchester City’s treble-winning season, stand as strong contenders, while young talents like Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal represent the future of the sport.

One notable absence is Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not make the nomination list for the first time in over a decade, signaling a shift in football's competitive landscape.

The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2024: Barcelona’s Brilliance

In the women’s category, Barcelona’s dominance is evident, with several key players making the shortlist. Reigning champion Aitana Bonmatí, who also claimed the 2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin, leads the nominees.

The full list of nominees includes:

• Aitana Bonmatí (Spain), Barcelona
• Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal
• Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona
• Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona
• Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona
• Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona
• Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea
• Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City
• Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City
• Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyon
• Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars
• Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave
• Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns
• Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit
• Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride
• Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyon

Bonmatí hopes to follow in the footsteps of her former teammate Alexia Putellas, who won back-to-back awards in 2021 and 2022. Players like Khadija Shaw and Lauren Hemp represent Manchester City’s growing influence in the women’s game, while the USWNT stars, including Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith, look to reclaim international prominence.

Spotlight on Coaches: Tactical Masters Compete for Glory

The Best FIFA Men’s and Women’s Coach awards feature a stellar lineup of leaders who have redefined their teams’ gameplay.

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach Nominees:

• Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid
• Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City
• Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina
• Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain
• Xabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen

Pep Guardiola, fresh off Manchester City’s historic treble, is the favorite, while Lionel Scaloni’s guidance of Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory ensures his place among the elite.

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach Nominees:

• Jonatan Giráldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
• Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USWNT
• Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil
• Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan
• Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
• Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyon/Chelsea
• Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City
• Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic

Jonatan Giráldez, who led Barcelona to a quadruple before transitioning to Washington Spirit, is the frontrunner, while Emma Hayes remains a strong contender after her successful Chelsea tenure and new USWNT role.

---

Goalkeepers: Defensive Walls Compete for Recognition

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Nominees:

• Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid
• David Raya (Spain), Arsenal
• Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City
• Emiliano Martínez (Argentina), Aston Villa
• Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain
• Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan
• Unai Simón (Spain), Athletic Club

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Nominees:

• Alyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red Stars
• Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham
• Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City
• Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona
• Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain

Barcelona’s Cata Coll, a standout performer in 2023, faces tough competition from USWNT’s veteran Alyssa Naeher and England’s Mary Earps, who continues to excel at Manchester United.

---

Additional Awards to Watch

Other honors include:

• FIFA Fan Award: Recognizing remarkable moments of fan engagement.
• FIFA Fair Play Award: Celebrating exemplary sportsmanship.
• FIFA Puskás Award: Awarded to the scorer of the best goal in men’s football.
• FIFA Marta Award: Honoring the scorer of the best goal in women’s football.

---

How to Vote for Your Favorites

Fans, along with national team captains, coaches, and journalists, will have an equal say in determining the winners. Voting is currently open on FIFA.com, with the deadline set for December 10, 2024.