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Nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2023 revealed

Less than a month after the final whistle blew at the ninth FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final, the nominations have been announced for the eighth edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards™.

The nominees were shortlisted by a panel of football experts who reviewed longer lists compiled by FIFA based on the candidates’ achievements during the respective award eligibility periods (see below). Voting is now open across the various categories, with the international jury being comprised of national team captains and coaches, journalists, and fans from all over the world.

Performances at the record-breaking FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ are reflected in The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees. Adidas Golden Ball winner Aitana Bonmatí leads a quartet of Spanish nominees. Four players from tournament runners-up England and a trio of Matildas – who were a victory away from reaching the final on home soil – are also part of a 16-player shortlist.

Half of the candidates for The Best FIFA Men’s Player were part of Manchester City FC’s 2022-23 treble-winning squad, while coach Pep Guardiola, is nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s Coach alongside four of his peers. Meanwhile, the 2021 and 2022 winners of The Best FIFA Women’s Coach – Emma Hayes and Sarina Wiegman – feature among the quintet nominated in this category.

The FIFA Puskás Award is guaranteed to generate hundreds of thousands of votes each year, with the prize recognising the player ‘judged to have scored the most aesthetically significant goal, regardless of championship, gender or nationality and scored without the result of luck or a mistake and in support of fair play.’ The nominees will be announced on 21 September.

The winners of The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Women’s Coach and The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper will be selected by an international jury comprising the current coaches of all women’s national teams (one per team), the current captains of all women’s national teams (one per team), one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans from all over the world registered on FIFA.com.

The winners of The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper will be selected by an international jury comprising the current coaches of all men’s national teams (one per team), the current captains of all men’s national teams (one per team), one specialist journalist from each territory represented by a national team and fans from all over the world registered on FIFA.com.

The Best FIFA Women’s Player Nominees

Aitana Bonmatí (Spain); Linda Caicedo (Colombia); Rachel Daly (England); Kadidiatou Diani (France); Caitlin Foord (Australia); Mary Fowler (Australia); Alex Greenwood (England); Jennifer Hermoso (Spain); Lindsey Horan (USA); Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden); Lauren James (England); Sam Kerr (Australia); Mapi León (Spain); Hinata Miyazawa (Japan); Salma Paralluelo (Spain); Keira Walsh (England).

The Best FIFA Men’s Player Nominees

Julián Álvarez (Argentina); Marcelo Brozović (Croatia); Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium); İlkay Gündoğan (Germany); Erling Haaland (Norway); Rodrigo (Rodri) Hernández Cascante (Spain); Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia); Kylian Mbappé (France); Lionel Messi (Argentina); Victor Osimhen (Nigeria); Declan Rice (England); Bernardo Silva (Portugal).

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach Nominees

Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden): Jonatan Giráldez (Spain); Tony Gustavsson (Sweden); Emma Hayes (England); Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands).

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach Nominees

Pep Guardiola (Spain); Simone Inzaghi (Italy); Ange Postecoglou (Australia); Luciano Spalletti (Italy); Xavi (Spain).

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Nominees

Mackenzie Arnold (Australia); Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany); Catalina Coll (Spain); Mary Earps (England); Christiane Endler (Chile); Zećira Mušović (Sweden); Sandra Paños García-Villamil (Spain).

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Nominees

Yassine Bounou (Morocco); Thibaut Courtois (Belgium); Ederson (Brazil); André Onana (Cameroon); Marc-André ter Stegen (Germany).

The FIFA Fan Award Nominees

Club Atlético Colón de Santa Fe fan (Argentina); Fran Hurndall (England); Miguel Ángel, Millonarios fan (Colombia).

Award Qualifying Periods

The qualifying period for the women’s awards – The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Women’s Coach and The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper – was from 1 August 2022 to 20 August 2023, the date of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final.

For the men’s awards – The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper – the qualifying period was between 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023.

When does voting open?

Fan voting in all the above categories will commence on FIFA’s digital platforms on Thursday 14 September when the respective shortlisted nominees are announced, along with the candidates for The FIFA Fan Award. Voting will close at midnight CET on Friday 6 October.

Voting for the FIFA Puskás Award, which will be presented to the scorer of the best goal during the period from 19 December 2022 to 20 August 2023 inclusive, will commence on Thursday 21 September and close at midnight CET on Tuesday 10 October

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Morocco 2024: Flamingos to begin camping for South Africa’s Bantwana on Sunday

Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, will on Sunday at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo, kickstart their preparations for their two-leg FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying clash with the U17 girls of South Africa, known as Bantwana.

The 2022 World Cup bronze medallists were drawn bye to the second round of the African qualifiers, while Bantwana fired from all cylinders to steamroll their counterparts from Gabon 21-2 on aggregate, winning 12-1 in Gabon and 9-1 in South Africa.

“It is important that the Flamingos start their camping early for this second-round fixture, not just because South Africa won their first-round matches 21-2 on aggregate, but because that is the right thing to do. We are aware that matches between Nigeria and South Africa are always full of heat, huge emotion on the part of players, officials and the fans, and determination to conquer on the part of the players.

“The Flamingos remain the best team in Africa and one of the best in the world, and they will be adequately prepared for the challenges ahead,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said.

On his part, Head Coach of the Bantwana, Ntombifuthi Khumalo has sounded a warning to the South Africa Football Association that his team needs longer preparation-period and reinforcements to be able to withstand the challenge of Nigeria in the games scheduled for the period 7-16 March.

“Yes, tactically they (Nigeria) are good, like us, but if you can measure when we play pound-for-pound, our players are not ready for that – but we need to reinforce on that. If we can get support to get (reinforcements) because, as a country, I still believe we have more quality players who deserve to be part of the team.

“Also, we need more preparation for the next leg, with a longer camp and friendly games, that will help us to ensure we are ready for the next round.”

This year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup (the competition becomes an annual event from this year) will be hosted by Morocco, 17 October – 8 November, with Africa to present 5 teams (including host nation Morocco) at the finals, which has also been expanded to a 24-nation championship.

Coach Bankole Olowookere, who led the team to third-place finish in India in 2022 and to the quarter-finals last year, has called up a total of 30 players to begin the camping on Sunday.

The list includes goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, defenders Hannah Ibrahim and Jumai Adebayo, midfielders Shakirat Moshood (four-goal heroine at last year’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic) and Muinat Rotimi, and forwards Harmony Chidi and Peace Effiong.

FLAMINGOS FOR CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMO FOR SOUTH AFRICA:

Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens); Onyinyechi Opara (Imo Strikers); Maureen Enebeli (Remo Stars Ladies); Stella Emperor (Adamawa Queens)

Defenders: Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels); Jennifer Ozoani (Greenfoot FC); Marylyn Edem (Nasarawa Amazons); Amblessed Ogbonnaya (Bayelsa Queens); Ifeoma Ogoegbe (Greenfoot FC); Temilade Fafore (Ahudiyannem Queens); Shavih Istifanus (Jos)

Midfielders: Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Academy); Charles Nwabueze (Abia Angels); Philomena Ochanya (Nasarawa Amazons); Waliat Rotimi (Nakamura Academy); Azeezat Oduntan (FC Robo Queens); Fatima Solaty (Dannaz Ladies); Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy); Shakirat Bashiru (New Generation SC)

Forwards: Chisom Nwachukwu (Rivers Angels); Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers); Seun Fakunle (Ekiti Queens); Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels); Favour Iheagwaram (Abia Angels); Christiana Sunday (Imo Strikers); Grace Saliu (Naija Ratels); Afensimi Omon (Adamawa Queens); Anuoluwapo Awotidoye (Naija Ratels)

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Azpilicueta Names Drogba Among His Toughest Opponents

Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has revealed his three toughest-ever opponents, naming Didier Drogba, Eden Hazard, and Diego Costa.

Speaking to ESPN, the 35-year-old defender highlighted his experiences facing these formidable players during his illustrious career. Interestingly, Azpilicueta was teammates with all three during his time at Chelsea but also faced them as opponents in different competitions.

“Well, the one that comes out quickly is Eden Hazard because he was my teammate for a long time,” Azpilicueta said. “Also, when I was in Marseille, we played against Lille, and I remember Hazard giving us a tough time.”

He recalled facing Didier Drogba while the Ivorian striker was at Galatasaray:
“You know Didier Drogba, he was a tough striker when I faced him while at Chelsea.”

Azpilicueta also mentioned Diego Costa, reflecting on their encounter during Costa’s time at Atletico Madrid:
“Diego Costa was fierce. I would say he rounds up my top three toughest opponents.”

Azpilicueta’s career spans numerous encounters with top-tier players, solidifying his reputation as one of the most reliable defenders of his generation.

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Tella Nominated for Leverkusen’s January Goal of the Month Award

Super Eagles winger Nathan Tella has been shortlisted for Bayer Leverkusen’s Goal of the Month for January.

Tella’s nomination comes after his impressive strike during Leverkusen’s 3-2 victory against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on January 10. The goal marked his first of the season for Die Werkself.

Also competing for the award are Alejandro Grimaldo, Florian Wirtz, and Patrick Schick.

Tella, 25, has made 16 Bundesliga appearances for Xabi Alonso’s side this season, showcasing his growing influence within the team.

Fans are expected to vote for the winner, with Tella hoping to clinch the accolade.