Record holders Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo will battle with the likes of Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappe, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane for the men's prize at the 2019 Best Fifa Football Awards.
The final ten man list also includes the names of the new Blaugrana midfielder Frenkie de Jong, Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, and their star defender Virgil Van Dijk, and also Jiventus new boy Matthijs De Ligt.
Let's quickly take a look at how each of this player has fared for their various club side and country.
Cristiano Ronaldo (POR / Juventus)
The 34 year old, who joined the Old Lady club at the beginning of last season, has played a total of 46 matches and scored a total of 9 goals in national team( Nations League Division A, European Championship , World cup, Friendlies). In the club he scored 30 goals ( Serie A, Champions League, Coppa Italia, Champions Cup, Friendlies). Cristiano Ronaldo this seasons has also noted 10 assists.
The forward also help Juventus to a club double, as they swept on to get their eight successive Series A title, as well as Supercoppa Italians. He was also on the winning side as his country took home the inaugural UEFA Nations League Cup.
With all of this, does the No. 7 stands a chance of winning this prize, which he last won in 2017?
Eden Hazard (BEL / Real Madrid)
Eden Hazard, who now plays for Real Madrid, scored a total of 30 goals in the last season, 9 goals in national team( Nations League Division A, European Championship , Friendlies, World cup). and 21 goals for his previous club side Chelsea ( Premier League, Capital One, FA Cup, Europa League , Audi Cup 1, Champions Cup, Champions Cup). Eden Hazard also made 17 assists, as he led his former side to Europa League glory.
Frenkie De Jong (HOL / Barcelona)
Frenkie Dey Jong, the 22 years old midfielder, who played his last season football in Ajax, scored a total of three goals, 0 goals in national team ( Nations League Division A, European Championship , Friendlies) and 3 goals ( Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, Champions League). Frenkie de Jong also had 3 assists.
Will this be enough to be in the final three? We would let FIFA decide!
Harry Kane (ENG / Tottenham)
The English forward, who's playing his tenth season for Tottenham, saw the back of the net 36 times. 10 of which came for the national team (Nations League Division A, European Championship , World cup, Friendlies) and a further 26 goals for his club side ( Capital One, Champions League, FA Cup, Premier League, Champions Cup, Audi Cup 1). Harry Kane also made 7 assists last season. The striker finished without a trophy, as his side were edged out in the Champions League final by Liverpool.
Kylian Mbappe Lottin (FRA / Paris Saint-Germain)
The 20 year old sensation had another prolific season, scoring a stunting 55 goals for both club and country. 12 goals in national team ( Nations League Division A, Friendlies, European Championship , World cup), and 43 goals for his club side ( Ligue 1, League Cup, Supercup, Champions League, FA Cup, Friendlies). Kylian Mbappe Lottin has 13 assists this season. The Ligue 1 player of the year helped his side to claim their eighth Ligue 1 title.
Lionel Messi (ARG / Barcelona)
The little.magician had yet another sensational season, as he scored a total of 57 goals, and turning provider on 18 occasions. The number 10 helped Barcelona retain their Laliga title, though he missed out on the champions league, as they were dumped out by eventual winners Liverpool. He also couldnt inspire his side to glory during the Copa America showdown.
Will his European and National failures, hinder a return to the Best player stage, or will it be another year to celebrate Messi?
Matthijs de Ligt (HOL / Juventus)
The 19 year old Dutch defender who recently signed or Juventus, scored a total of 9 goals last season, 7 of which were for his club side. The defender who helped Ajax to another Eredivisie title and a dream Champions League run, which saw them dispatching the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus, has a 88% completed pass accuracy, he concedes an average of 0.85 goals for every 90 minutes that he's on the pitch. His Clean Sheets ratio is currently at 45%. That means de Ligt has kept a Clean Sheet in 15 matches out of the 33 games that he played last season.
Mohamed Salah (EGY / Liverpool)
The Egyptian Messi as he's called inspired his club side to a second place premier League finish, and UEFA Champions League victory, scoring a total of 29 goals and a further 12 goals for his country. He also made 10 assists, in what will be one of his best ever season. The only blemish Salah would have this season is missing out on continental glory, as his country side couldn't win the AFCON.
Sadio Mane (SEN / Liverpool)
The 27 year old attacking midfielder, scored 32 goals, 4 goals for the national team ( Africa Cup of Nations, Friendlies, World cup) and he scored 28 goals for his club side ( Capital One, FA Cup, Premier League, Champions League, Community Shield, Champions Cup, Friendlies). Sadio Mane this seasons has also noted 2 assists, winning the UCL and finishing runners up at the AFCON 2019.
Virgil van Dijk (HOL / Liverpool)
Liverpool most expensive defender, was the missing piece in Jurgen Klopp's puzzle, as the defender was able to guide the Merseyside club to its first European glory after so many years. The PFA Player of the year, who was on a run of 65 matches without being dribbled past, as been as solid as a rock in the defensive line for the Reds. He won the UCL and also finished runners up to a Christiano Rinaldo side at the UEFA Nations League.
So.......
Who has been your best player? And who deserves to be crown as the best player for this year? Guess we would have to keep our fingers crossed!
Nice post . I seem to have missed it. Messi has to win . We will never see the likes of him again
I do agree, but then i guess its time we bid goodbye to the era of Messi and Ronaldo dominance on world football, and usher in a new era of world stars.