Bayern could see a double title defence at The Best FIFA Football Awards after reigning world’s best player Robert Lewandowski and world’s best goalkeeper Manuel Neuer were again named among the candidates by football’s governing body on Monday.
Vote for Lewandowski and Neuer until 10 December
Before the winners are crowned at an event in Zurich on 17 January 2022, FIFA will cut the shortlists to a final three at the start of next year. As well as an international jury, the current captains and coaches of the world’s national teams, and selected football journalists, fans around the world can also vote. That means all Bayern supporters have until 10 December to cast their votes for Lewandowski and Neuer.
Lewandowski going for double
Lewandowski capped off a superb last year by being named the Best FIFA Men’s Player for the first time in his career, also becoming the first player from Poland to be the world’s best. The 33-year-old is once again among the favourites for the honour in 2021 and could become the first player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016 and 2017 to retain his crown.
The nominees for the Best FIFA Men’s Player
| Player | Country / club |
|---|---|
| Karim Benzema | France / Real Madrid |
| Kevin De Bruyne | Belgium / Manchester City |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal / Juventus, Manchester United |
| Erling Haaland | Norway / Borussia Dortmund |
| Jorginho | Italy / Chelsea |
| N’Golo Kante | France / Chelsea |
| Robert Lewandowski | Poland / Bayern Munich |
| Kylian Mbappe | France / Paris Saint-Germain |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina / Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain |
| Neymar | Brazil / Paris Saint-Germain |
| Mohamed Salah | Egypt / Liverpool |
Neuer can become the outright best
Bayern’s No.1 has been named the best goalkeeper in the world five times over his career, which is currently the most together with Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon. The FCB captain also won unofficial awards four years in a row between 2013 and 2016, before claiming the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award last year. If he retains his title in 2021, he’ll be the outright best ever.
The nominees for the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper
| Player | Country / club |
|---|---|
| Alisson Becker | Brazil / Liverpool |
| Gianluigi Donnarumma | Italy / AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain |
| Edouard Mendy | Senegal / Chelsea |
| Manuel Neuer | Germany / Bayern Munich |
| Kasper Schmeichel | Denmark / Leicester City |
Check out the best photos from last year’s The Best FIFA Football Awards:
Flick also nominated
Hansi Flick has again been named on the shortlist for this year’s Best FIFA Men’s Coach. The 56-year-old was Bayern boss until the summer and has since taken on the job as Germany head coach. His rivals are Antonio Conte (Inter Milan/Tottenham Hotspur), Italy’s Euro 2020-winning coach Roberto Mancini, Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Argentina national team boss Lionel Scaloni, Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid), and fellow German Thomas Tuchel, who led Chelsea to the Champions League title last season.
Lewandowski and Neuer are also hopeful of awards at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in November:
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