Super Eagles stars, Ademola Lookman, and William Troost-Ekong, have been included in the prestigious nominees list for the 2024 FIFA Best Player Awards.
The announcement, made on Friday morning, highlights five African players among the nominees, with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Zambia’s Barbra Banda, and Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga joining Lookman and Troost-Ekong in the spotlight.
Banda and Chawinga have been nominated for the Best FIFA Women’s Player award.
Lookman, who secured 14th place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, is nominated in the Best Attacker category alongside football giants like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
Troost-Ekong, alongside Hakimi, is contending for the Best Defender award, competing against names such as Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah.
This recognition follows Lookman, Troost-Ekong, and Hakimi’s earlier nominations for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year award. While Troost-Ekong did not make the final shortlist, Lookman remains a prominent contender in African and global football circles.
FIFA’s revamped voting process now allows fans to participate, with their votes carrying equal weight to those of national team captains, coaches, and media representatives.
This year also introduces the FIFA Marta Award, which honors the best goal in women’s football globally, as well as a redefined FIFA Puskás Award, celebrating the best goal in men’s football.
Fans can cast their votes on FIFA.com until December 10, 2024, with winners set to be announced in early 2025.
Nominees for The Best FIFA Awards:
Best FIFA Women’s Player
Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Barcelona
Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride
Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona
Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona
Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City
Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City
Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyonnais
Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea
Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal
Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave
Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona
Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona
Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns
Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais
Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit
Best FIFA Men’s Player
Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid
Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City
Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid
Florian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer Leverkusen
Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid
Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona
Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami
Rodri (Spain), Manchester City
Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)
Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Real Madrid
Best FIFA Women’s Coach
Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil
Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic
Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USA
Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan
Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City
Jonatan Giraldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit
Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC
Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea
Best FIFA Men’s Coach
Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid
Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina
Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain
Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City
Xabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen
Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper
Alyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red Stars
Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham
Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City
Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona
Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain
Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper
Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid
David Raya (Spain), Arsenal
Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City
Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Aston Villa
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain
Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan
Unai Simon (Spain), Athletic Club
