FIFA, the world governing body in soccer, has announced a shortlist of 10 candidates for The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2018 just weeks after the conclusion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The winner of the award, which attempts to recognise the “extraordinary achievements” of soccer players over the past season, will be announced at a ceremony in London on September 24.
The winner will be decided by the following four groups, with equal weighting (25%) given to each:
- The captains of all national teams
- The head coaches of all national teams
- A fan ballot that the public can participate in
- A group of approximately 200 members of the international media
In no particular order, here are the 10 soccer players in with a chance of winning this year’s award.
Antoine Griezmann — Atlético Madrid and France national team forward.
Antoine Griezmann has been instrumental to the success of his club and his country so far in 2018. He scored twice in Atlético’s 3-0 win over Olympique Marseille in the Europa League final in May, and once in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in the World Cup final in July.
Titles won in 2018: UEFA Europa League winner with Atlético and FIFA World Cup winner with France. FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball (third best player) and FIFA World Cup Silver Boot (second top scorer).
Cristiano Ronaldo — Juventus F.C. and Portugal national team striker.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored one of the best goals of the decade when he stunned Juventus with an acrobatic overhead kick — a “PlayStation goal” — in the Champions League quarterfinal earlier this year. He scored goal after goal in Real Madrid’s march to the Champions League title, and then sealed a shock $ 130 million transfer to Juventus during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Titles won in 2018: UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid. Ronaldo was also the Champions League top goalscorer for the 2017-2018 season.
Eden Hazard — Chelsea FC and Belgium national team forward.
Hazard continued to grind away at Chelsea FC in the 2017-2018 season, but it was at the 2018 FIFA World Cup where he really came alive. Hazard was a nuisance from the first game to the last, and was truly deserving of the Silver Ball award.
Titles won in 2018: FIFA World Cup third place with Belgium. Hazard also won the 2018 FIFA World Cup Silver Ball (second best player) and was the joint top assist provider at the tournament in Russia.
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