Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante, who has since joined Chelsea, have been named on the shortlist in recognition of their roles in Leicester’s shock Premier League title success last season. Claudio Ranieri is also a leading contender for the top coach award.
Top names on the list include Portugal captain Ronaldo — who enjoyed success in the Champions League and Euro 2016 this year — and Real Madrid teammates Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric, plus Barcelona’s Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar and Andres Iniesta.
Atletico Madrid and France forward Antoine Griezmann, a finalist in the Champions League and European Championship, is another contender, along with international teammate Dimitri Payet.
FIFA announced this week that its rebranded “The Best” awards will be decided by a combination of votes from national coaches and captains, journalists and fans. Voting for the player and coach awards, in both men’s and women’s football, closes on Nov. 22.
The 23-man list is due to be reduced to three candidates on Dec. 2 ahead of the Jan. 9 ceremony.
Messi and Ronaldo have dominated FIFA’s annual award, formerly known as the Ballon d’Or and World Player of the Year, since 2008. Messi has won five times and Ronaldo three.
Ronaldo was seen as favourite under the old voting rules to win for 2016 because Portugal won the European Championship and Real Madrid won the Champions League. Messi and Argentina lost to Chile in the Copa America final.
The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2016 shortlist:
Sergio Aguero
Gareth Bale
Gianluigi Buffon
Cristiano Ronaldo
Kevin De Bruyne
Antoine Griezmann
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Andres Iniesta
N’Golo Kante
Toni Kroos
Robert Lewandowski
Riyad Mahrez
Lionel Messi
Luka Modric
Manuel Neuer
Neymar
Mesut Ozil
Dimitri Payet
Paul Pogba
Sergio Ramos
Alexis Sanchez
Luis Suarez
Jamie Vardy
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