On September 24th 2018, FIFA will host their annual ‘Best Awards’, celebrating some of the world’s greatest talents and their achievements over the last year.
Held in London at the Royal Festival Hall, this year’s awards has a huge World Cup influence, with many of the nominees having impressed the organisation in Russia this summer.
From the Best Goalkeeper and Coach awards to the Best Goal and Best Fan accolades, this year’s ceremony is set to be one of the biggest yet.
It is also likely to be one of the most watched as Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have the competition of Lionel Messi in the final three this year.
We take you through everything you need to know about this year’s awards, why it is different from the Ballon d’Or and showcase all the nominees for all the so you can make your own decision as to who should win, before the 24th September.
FIFA Pro World 11
The actual World 11 will be announced on the night of the awards, but this was the team from last year’s ceremony, with host Idris Elba:
Gianluigi Buffon; Dani Alves, Leonardo Bonucci, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Toni Kroos, Andres Iniesta, Luka Modric; Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar.
Best Goalkeeper Nominees
The ‘Best Goalkeeper’ award is dominated by Premier League quality, although Thibaut Courtois now plays his football at Real Madrid, he spent last season at Chelsea.
World Cup winner Hugo Lloris will be gutted if he cannot claim the award this season, considering his performances as captain of France.
Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel makes up the three thanks to his incredible record with Denmark.
Best Men’s Player Nominees
For the first time in what seems forever Lionel Messi is not up for one of football’s top awards.
Of course Cristiano Ronaldo is in the mix, after another recording breaking season in which he helped Madrid win a third successive Champions League title.
Ronaldo’s club team mate of last season Luka Modric is nominated for helping Madrid but for also for being influential in Croatia’s World Cup campaign.
Liverpool’s Mo Salah is nominated thanks to his incredible return to the Premier League.
Best Women’s Player Nominees
The women’s top three nominees include two Olympique Lyon players in Germany captain Dzsenifer Marozsan and Norway’s Ada Hegerberg.
Brazil’s Martha captained her nation to the Copa America Femenina title once again.
Best Men’s Coach Nominees
The Best coach nominees are quite obvious once you have seen the other Men’s player nominations.
Didier Deschamps lead France to World Cup glory, Zinedine Zidane won his third successive Champions League title and Zlatko Dalić masterminded Croatia to a World Cup final.
Best Women’s Coach Nominees
Reynald Padros, Asako Takakura and Sarina Wiegman were chosen from a shortlist of ten top coaches from the women’s game.
Padros guided Lyon to a Champions League and League double, Takakura won the Asia trophy with Japan and Wiegman now the Dutch national coach won this award last year.
The Panel
Each awards judging panel is different but they all have one theme, they are all ex-professionals in the game.
Brazil’s Ronaldo, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Kaka will be heading up the Best Men’s Player board.
Best Goal Nominee- Gareth Bale v Liverpool
What a way to mark your presence on a final.
After a torrid season of injuries and being out of the first team, Gareth Bale scored arguably the best goal in Champions League final history with this overhead kick.
Best Goal Nominee – Denis Cheryshev v Croatia
Nobody knew how Russia would get on in their own World Cup this summer, but thanks largely to their team spirit and the quality of Denis Cheryshev they made the Quarter-Finals.
Although this goal didn’t end up winning the hosts the match, it’s pure quality sees it added to the Puskas top 10.
