Messi, Mbappe, And Benzema In The 2022 FIFA Best Player Candidates List

Lionel Messi. (Photo: Instagram @leomessi)

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Karim Benzema are included in the list of candidates for the best FIFA player 2022. This was announced by FIFA on Friday 10 February.

According to Antara, two-time Ballon d'Or winner Spain's Alexia Puttelas, England striker Beth Mead and US star Alex Morgan were shortlisted for the best women's soccer player.

PSG's Messi and Mbappe, who faced each other in last year's World Cup final, are in contention with Benzema to replace 2020 and 2021 FIFA award winner Robert Lewandowski.

Benzema won the Ballon d'Or last year thanks to his fine form for Real Madrid, but he missed the World Cup through injury.

Barcelona and Spain women's national team midfielder Putellas won the final women's award, and is again a nominee despite not playing since July with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.

Arsenal striker Beth Mead, runner-up for the Ballon d'Or award in October, is currently out of action with a long-term knee injury.

The winners will be announced on February 27 in Paris. They will be selected by a jury of national team coaches and captains, as well as journalists and fans.

There are also awards for male and female coaches, the best goalkeeper, and the Puskas Award for the best goal in 2022.