Cristiano Ronaldo won the FIFA Best Men's award last year HERE for the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign upfor the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Fifa announced the shortlist on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the ceremony, which will take place in London on September 24. Ronaldo is the current favourite to regain the award after yet another fine season for club and country. But Messi will still be hopeful of the award despite a poor showing at what will likely be his final World Cup. However, the duo will be battling it out against some of their team-mate's and rivals. The Premier League's biggest clubs are represented in the form of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah. PSG starlet Kylian Mbappe spear-fronts the French league's chances. While Antoine Griezmann is joined by fellow La Liga stars Luka Modric and Raphael Varane, who ply their trade on the other side of Madrid. Here is what you need to know about all of the candidates. Related articles Cristiano Ronaldo can help Juventus to Champions League glory - Pirlo Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane scooped up the awards last year Cristiano Ronaldo Clear-favourite for a clear reason, Ronaldo has enjoyed yet another fine season in world football. Despite a slow start to the campaign for himself and Madrid, the Portuguese star found a purple patch in 2018. The 33-year-old netted 44 goals in 44 games for Los Blancos last term, as the club won their third successive Champions League. After scoring four goals for Portugal in the World Cup, Ronaldo has recently turned his back on Madrid after nine years, moving to Juventus for £105m. Lionel Messi Messi looks to have ended his international career on an almighty low after Argentina's dismal showing in Russia this summer. Despite netting in the final group game against Nigeria, the Barcelona icon failed to save a team hugely at odds with manager Jorge Sampaoli. But for Barcelona, it was a different story. Messi netted 34 league goals in 36 outings as the Catalan outfit ran away with La Liga. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel will battle it out once again The nominees for the @FIFAcom Best Men's Player Award Cristiano Ronaldo Kevin De Bruyne Antoine Griezmann Eden Hazard Harry Kane Kylian Mbappe Lionel Messi Luka Modric Mo Salah Raphael Varane Who gets your pick? — Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) July 24, 2018 Kevin De Bruyne The gem in Manchester City's Premier League crown, De Bruyne arguably enjoyed his best ever season over the last 12 months as Pep Guardiola won his first English league title. The Belgian's midfield link-up play with David Silva and Fernandinho made it easy for the likes of Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, who all contributed to a team which is now considered one of the best in Premier League history. De Bruyne was also front and centre as Roberto Martinez's Belgium reached the final four of the World Cup this summer. Antoine Griezmann Some people may know Griezmann for his transfer sagas and his unusual celebrations - but on the pitch this season, the Frenchman has been as good as ever. Atletico Madrid were resigned to losing the forward last summer as Barcelona and Manchester United circled. However, Griezmann stayed loyal to Diego Simeone's side, helping the club settle into their spanking new stadium. The 27-year-old netted 27 goals in all competitions for the Spanish side before enjoying a strong World Cup for eventual winners France. Ronaldo: Juventus move wasn't a difficult decision to make Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are both up for the honour Eden Hazard By the time the FIFA awards are here, Hazard may be playing for a different side in a different country. Chelsea have kept hold of their star man despite continued interest from Real Madrid over the years. However, after a stunning World Cup, it appears the Spanish giants will finally land Hazard this summer. The Belgian was key to his country's solid campaign in Russia, despite a relatively quiet season at Stamford Bridge. Harry Kane Tottenham once again fell short of winning any silverware last term - but Kane's stock has continued to rise. After falling to keep up with Mohamed Salah in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot, the England forward had the country believing as he started the World Cup in electric form. Six goals in the tournament saw him lift the Golden Boot, despite the Three Lions' unfortunate exit in the semi-final. Eden Hazard reveals his FIFA 18 team selection Kylian Mbappe enjoyed an incredible World Cup Kylian Mbappe The nearest thing to Thierry Henry since the former Arsenal forward was running the show on the world stage. Despite moving to PSG for £166m last summer, it took an exceptional World Cup for people to truly start to take notice of Kylian Mbappe. The 19-year-old single-handedly dumped Argentina out of the tournament, picking up the baton from Messi as he trudged down the tunnel at full-time. As well as a brilliant summer, Mbappe netted 21 goals PSG last season as they regained the Ligue 1 title. Luka Modric Modric arguably wouldn't be included among the nominations had it not been for a fantastic World Cup. Against all the odds, Croatia made it to the final with the Real Madrid man dragging them through the knockout stages with his incredible ability. Modric is even more of a hero back home after his exploits in Russia, where he was named the Player of the Tournament. And another Champions League winners' medal also didn't harm his chances of being nominated by FIFA for this award. Mohamed Salah almost guided Liverpool to the Champions League final<doc-sep>FIFA announces 10-man list for best player award FIFA announces 10-man list for best player award Try refreshing your browser, or We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Mbappe, the teenage star of France’s World Cup-winning team, and Modric, the Croatia captain who was named the tournament’s best player, join five-time winners Ronaldo and Messi among 10 candidates announced by FIFA on Tuesday. GENEVA — World Cup stars Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric will challenge the decade-long dominance of FIFA’s best player award by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content OFFICIAL | The nominees for #TheBest FIFA Men’s Player 2018: Cristiano Ronaldo Kevin De Bruyne Antoine Griezmann Eden Hazard Harry Kane Kylian Mbappe Lionel Messi Luka Modric Mohamed Salah Raphael Varane For the period 3 July 2017-15 July 2018 pic.twitter.com/bqt8tDWY8d — FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) July 24, 2018 For the first time, FIFA has opened voting within days of the World Cup, and Ronaldo and Messi both exited in the round of 16. France also has Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane, who won a third straight Champions League title alongside Modric and Ronaldo with Real Madrid, on the FIFA list. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Belgium has Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard on a shortlist completed by World Cup golden boot winner Harry Kane of England and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah. The winners announced in London on Sept. 24 are voted by national coaches and captains, plus media from FIFA’s 211 member countries, and fans voting online.<doc-sep>FIFA have today announced their top ten goals of the World Cup, and for the most part the list is acceptable, but are a few questionable calls. FIFA left it to the fans to decide the ten best strikes in the tournament, with supporters voting Benjamin Pavard's goal against Argentina as the best goal of the World Cup. Juan Quintero's free kick against Japan surprisingly came in at number two, Luka Modric's long range strike against Argentina is the third most popular goal, with Ronaldo and Messi making up the rest of the top five. But there is no room on the top ten for Nacho's stunning strike against Portugal on the second day of the tournament: Advertisement Astonishing, the Spaniard's strike is miles better than Quintero's goal. The swerve, the precision, it even took a nick of both posts for Christ's sake! There is no justice in the world. Here is the top 10 in full: 10) Toni Kroos V Sweden 9) Ricardo Quaresma V Iran 8) Ahmed Musa V Iceland 7) Nacer Chadli V Japan Advertisement 6) Denis Cheryshev V Croatia 5) Lionel Messi V Nigeria 4) Cristiano Ronaldo V Spain 3) Luka Modric V Argentina 2) Juan Quintero V Japan 1) Benjamin Pavard Over 3 million people voted in the poll, and that Nacho's goal didn't even register in the top 10 is worrying indictment of democracy. You can watch all ten goals on FIFA's official Youtube channel here.<doc-sep>
World Cup stars Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric are among the contenders to end Cristiano Ronaldo's hold on FIFA's The Best Men's Player award after the shortlist was announced on Tuesday, but Neymar was not among the nominees. Ronaldo, who has won this honour in both years of its existence, is once again nominated, but faces arguably his toughest challenge yet, following so many impressive performances in Russia. The award, created in 2016 following FIFA's split with the Ballon d'Or, will this year honour the standout player from July 3, 2017 to July 15, 2018 -- and in that period, Modric won the Champions League with Real Madrid, while also helping Croatia reach the World Cup final where his performances earned him the Golden Ball. Club teammate Raphael Varane enjoyed an even more stellar summer as he won both the Champions League with Real Madrid and the World Cup with France, and was integral player for both. But France's star in Russia was Mbappe, who came to the fore in the knockout stages with his four goals which helped Les Bleus win the tournament for a second time. He was named the Best Young Player and became the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since Pele in 1958. OFFICIAL | The nominees for #TheBest FIFA Men's Player 2018: Cristiano Ronaldo Kevin De Bruyne Antoine Griezmann Eden Hazard Harry Kane Kylian Mbappe Lionel Messi Luka Modric Mohamed Salah Raphael Varane For the period 3 July 2017-15 July 2018 pic.twitter.com/bqt8tDWY8d — FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) July 24, 2018 However, Ronaldo will still be confident of making it three in a row, as he once again finished top scorer in the Champions League. His 15 goals -- five more than anyone else -- helped Los Blancos win the trophy for a third successive season. And, while he would have expected to make a bigger impact in Russia, he still hit a hat trick again Spain, which included one of the goals of the tournament with a stunning late free kick. FIFA will cut the list down to three finalists in September, ahead of the awards ceremony in London on Sept. 24. Mohamed Salah's impact on the world stage may have been minor, but his exploits in the Premier League and Champions League for Liverpool made him a certainty for this list. He became the first player to score 32 in a 38-game season, while also contributing a further 10 in Europe -- while he won all the individual awards in England. Similarly, Lionel Messi may have failed to show his best in Russia, but he enjoyed a breathtaking campaign with Barcelona, which saw the Blaugrana win a La Liga and Copa del Rey double. Messi finished as the division's leading marksman with 34 goals, which saw him win the European Golden Shoe. His hat trick in Ecuador which allowed Argentina to qualify for Russia also fell in this period. Antoine Griezmann is the third World Cup-winner on the list, as the striker's four goals -- including one in the final -- were crucial in helping France leave Russia victorious. He also scored a brace in Atletico Madrid's 3-0 Europa League final triumph over Marseille. Belgian duo Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are also nominated as well as World Cup Golden Boot winner, Harry Kane. Neymar, was not among the nominees despite being named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year. His domestic season was cut short after he suffered a broken metatarsal, which saw him miss the final three months of the campaign. Manchester United's Paul Pogba also missed out, despite receiving widespread praise for his performances in Russia. FIFA also announced the 10 nominees for The Best Women's Player award: Lucy Bronze, Pernille Harder, Ada Hegerberg, Amandine Henry, Samantha Kerr, Saki Kumagai, Dzsenifer Marozsan, Marta, Megan Rapinoe and Wendie Renard.