Four Nigerians make shortlist for 2024 FIFA Best awards
The Nigerian quartet of Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, Asisat Oshoala, and Paul Onuachu have been shortlisted for various categories in the 2024 FIFA Best Awards.
Lookman, the Atalanta forward, is nominated in the Best Attacker category, alongside global stars like Vinicius Junior, Lamine Yamal, Bukayo Saka, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo. The 26-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2023/2024 season, leading Atalanta to the Europa League title and impressing with the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Nigeria finished as runners-up. His remarkable form has also put him in contention for the CAF Player of the Year award, which will be announced next month.
Troost-Ekong, Nigeria’s stand-in captain, is listed among the Best Defenders. He will compete with top names such as Arsenal’s William Saliba, Manuel Akanji, Antonio Rüdiger, and Dani Carvajal.
Oshoala, a record-holder for the most CAF Women’s Player of the Year titles, has earned a nomination in the newly introduced Marta Award for the best goal in women’s football. The award recognises her stunning acrobatic goal for Barcelona Femeni against Benfica in the 2024 Women’s Champions League.
Onuachu, currently playing for Southampton, is also a nominee in the men’s version of the Puskas Award for the best goal, following his exquisite flick for Trabzonspor in a 2-1 win over Konyaspor in November 2023.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi headlines the list of nominees for the Best Men’s Player, a category that includes Rodri, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, Toni Kroos, and Federico Valverde. The voting for the FIFA Best Awards is open to fans and an expert panel until December 2024 via the FIFA website.
The full list of nominees for the 2024 FIFA Best Awards includes top talents in various categories, including goalkeepers, coaches, and more. The awards promise to celebrate the finest footballing achievements of the year.
Full List of Nominees:
Best FIFA Men’s Player
Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid
Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City
Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid
Florian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer Leverkusen
Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid
Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona
Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami
Rodri (Spain), Manchester City
Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)
Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Real Madrid
Best FIFA Women’s Player
Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Barcelona
Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride
Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona
Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona
Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City
Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City
Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyonnais
Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea
Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal
Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave
Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona
Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona
Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais
Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit
Best FIFA Men’s Coach
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina
Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain
Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City
Xabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen
Best FIFA Women’s Coach
Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil
Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic
Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USA
Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan
Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City
Jonatan Giraldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea
Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper
Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid
David Raya (Spain), Arsenal
Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Aston Villa
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain
Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan
Unai Simon (Spain), Athletic Club
Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper
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
