2021 Best FIFA Men’s Player Award: Lionel Messi, Kante, Ronaldo & Other Ranked Stars
The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award is an individual honor bestowed upon the best male footballer of the year. It is awarded by football’s governing authority FIFA. In addition to the sporting performance, a player’s conduct both on and off the field is also assessed when picking the winner.
How The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award Is Decided
The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award is decided via votes from media representatives, national team coaches, and national team captains. In 2016, it was decided that the general public will also have a say in the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award. Each group will have a 25% vote share.
Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski won the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award in 2020. He was the clear-cut favorite and it was a one-horse race more or less. But this time around, there are several players who are in the race to win the prestigious award.
With all being said, let’s take a look at the five favorites for the 2021 Best FIFA Men’s Player Award.
Top 5 Best FIFA Men’s Player List
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo won the Best FIFA Men’s Player award in 2016 and 2017. But having won just the Coppa Italia this year, it will be difficult for the Portuguese to find a place on the podium this time around.
Even though he was solid in the Euro 2020 championship, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner couldn’t lead his nation past the Round of 16. He managed to win the tournament’s Golden Boot, scoring five goals and provided one assist in four games at Euro 2020.
4. Robert Lewandowski
The Bayern Munich marksman is arguably the best striker in the world right now. He won the latest edition of the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award but it won’t be as straightforward for Lewandowski this time. That’s despite the incredible numbers he clocked in the 2020-21 season.
The Polish attacker broke Gerd Muller’s record for most goals scored in a 38-game Bundesliga season. He scored 41 goals in 29 Bundesliga games. Lewandowski scored 48 goals and provided nine assists in 40 appearances across all competitions in the 2020-21 season.
Lewy also scored three goals at Euro 2020 but couldn’t advance from his group. Lewandowski has the Bundesliga title but his achievements in a star-studded Bayern Munich side might not be enough this time around.
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3. N’Golo Kante
The Frenchman was unstoppable in the closing stages of the 2020-21 season for Chelsea. He was a force to be reckoned with in midfield as he produced match-winning performances one after the other.
N’Golo Kante picked up four back-to-back man-of-the-match awards for Chelsea, starting from the second leg of the quarter-final to the final of the Champions League. He was also one of France’s outstanding performers at Euro 2020 although they crashed at Round of 16 against Switzerland.
4. Jorginho
Jorginho is Chelsea’s metronome in midfield. Under Thomas Tuchel, the Italian’s influence on the game has become more apparent and the results are starting to show as well. He kept Chelsea’s midfield ticking and kept things neat and tidy in the center of the pitch during their triumphant run in the UEFA Champions League.
He was also phenomenal for Italy at Euro 2020. Forced to do more defensive work at the continental tournament, Jorginho came out with flying colors. The 29-year-old topped the list for interceptions (25), recoveries (46), and fouls drawn (18) at Euro 2020.
The Italian has won two major titles this summer and was an influential figure for his club and country in both triumphs. The UEFA Champions League title and Euro 2020 make for a trophy haul that is difficult to look past.
5. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi has officially left FC Barcelona and it has been a roller coaster of summer for the Argentina international.
The former Barca captain was the driving force behind Argentina’s Copa America title win in the summer. He won the Golden Boot and the Best Player Award at the recently concluded continental competition. Messi also won the Pichichi trophy in 2021 after topping the La Liga goalscoring charts with 30 to his name.
On stats, he had a haul of 38 goals and 14 assists from 47 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona in the 2020-21 season. He also guided Barcelona to the Copa Del Rey title.
Fortunately for PSG, Leo Messi will be donning their jersey soon after completing his move to the French side.
