Bayern trio nominated for FIFA award

A great honour for Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski and Arturo Vida! The FC Bayern trio are on the list of 23 candidates for The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2017 award revealed by football’s world governing body on Thursday. Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti also has reason to celebrate as he is one of the 12 coaches nominated for The Best FIFA Football Coach. For the women’s award, EURO winner Vivianne Miedema has made it onto the shortlist. The Dutch striker, who won the German league twice with FC Bayern, moved to Arsenal ahead of the new season. The winners of the awards will be decided by national team coaches from FIFA member associations, national team captains, selected journalists as well as fans. From 21 August you can vote for Neuer, Lewy and co on FIFA.com! The winners will be announced on Monday 23 October in London at ‘The Best FIFA Football Awards’.

James and Thiago making progress

There’s good news from the medical team. James Rodríguez returned to the training field on Thursday for the first time since his muscle injury, where he completed some running exercises. “James began individual training today,” announced Ancelotti at the press conference ahead of the Bundesliga opener against Bayer Leverkusen. It remains to be seen when the new signing will be available for Bayern. “We need to see how it goes. I don’t know whether he’ll be ready for the Bremen game.” Thiago was also on the training pitch and could return to full training next week, according to Ancelotti.