The Best FIFA Men’s Player: Nominees in focus

Eleven stellar candidates have been shortlisted for the Best FIFA Men's Player Award 2024 – and fans can now vote for their favorite nominee.

The contenders have been selected based on their performances from August 21, 2023 to August 10, 2024. Here, FIFA highlights each player's standout performances during the qualifying period.

Judas Bellingham

Bellingham enjoyed an exceptional first season at Real Madrid, winning a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double. He scored 23 goals in 42 games in all competitions, including winning goals in two Clasico clashes with Barcelona. The 21-year-old then helped England reach the UEFA EURO 2024 final, with his acrobatic last-gasp equalizer in a last 16 win over Slovakia one of the most memorable moments of the tournament.

Dani Carvajal

Carvajal has been a model of consistency and class for club and country throughout the 2023/2024 season. His striking contribution came in the Champions League final, when his pinpoint header opened the scoring in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. The experienced right-back then played a key role in Spain's triumph at the 2024 European Championship, starting five of their seven games, including the eventual victory over England.

Erling Haaland

Haaland continued to score at a barely believable pace for Manchester City and Norway. He delivered his club an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row, scoring 27 goals in 31 top-flight games and winning the Golden Boot. The powerhouse is also in deadly form at international level. At just 24 years old, he has already become Norway's best marksman of all time, having scored 38 goals in just 39 senior games.

Toni Kroos

Kroos brought the curtain down on his stellar career in typical fashion, winning three trophies at Real Madrid. The elegant midfielder, whose range of passing continued to surprise even in the twilight of his career, was an integral part of the all-conquering Real side that lifted the UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Supercopa de Espana trophies. However, the dream of more international glory with Germany was too much to ask as Kroos and his teammates exited UEFA EURO 2024 in the quarter-finals at the hands of eventual winners Spain.

Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe fired Paris St Germain to a league and cup double in his final season with the French giants. With 27 goals in 29 Ligue 1 games in 2023/24, he won the division's Golden Boot for an astonishing sixth successive campaign. Mbappe also struck eight times in PSG's run to the Champions League semi-finals and was the competition's joint top scorer with Harry Kane. The striker, who helped France reach the last four at EURO 2024, completed a move to Real Madrid in July.

Lionel Messi

Messi may be 37 years old, but he still has a huge influence for Inter Miami and Argentina. His inspiring performances helped his club follow up their 2023 Leagues Cup victory by winning the 2024 Supporters' Shield – the title awarded to the MLS team with the best regular season record. Messi also led Argentina to glory in the Copa America, finishing the year as top scorer in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifying with six goals.

Rodri

Rodri has been at the heart of Manchester City and Spain's respective successes over the past twelve months. The midfield general's leadership, composure and technical excellence were on display during City's victorious Premier League campaign, while he also played as they won the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup™. He was recognized with the competition's Adidas Golden Ball Award – and was also named Player of the Tournament at EURO 2024.

Federico Valverde

Valverde was an almost ever-present for Real Madrid during their La Liga and Champions League-winning seasons. A midfielder with high football intelligence, excellent passing range and phenomenal stamina, he played more minutes for the club in 2023/24 than any other team member. Valverde was also a key figure for Uruguay as they finished third at the 2024 Copa America.

Vinicius Jr

Vinicius had the most spectacular season of his career in 2023/24. The exciting forward regularly provided match-defining moments for Real Madrid as he scored 24 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions. His highlights included a goal in the Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund and a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final.

Florian Wirtz

Wirtz shone during Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable 2023/2024 season, which saw them win a double league and cup title and reach the UEFA Europa League final. Creative and clinical, the 21-year-old playmaker registered 18 goals and 20 assists in all competitions. Wirtz has also established himself with Germany's senior team, scoring twice at EURO 2024.

Lamine Yamal

Yamal has further cemented his status as one of the most exciting talents of his generation. The forward, who only turned 17 in July 2024, has emerged as one of Barcelona's most valuable players and has lit up EURO 2024 with a series of stunning displays. He provided four assists and scored one goal during Spain's title challenge. His fantastic curling strike against France in the semi-final won the competition's Goal of the Tournament award – and he also won the competition's best young player award.