On Monday FIFA revealed the final list of 5 players for both the men and women nominees who will battle it out for the coveted FIFA world player of the year award.
In the men’s list the nominees are Andreas Iniesta, Kaka, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi while the women’s list has Cristiane (Brazil), Inka Grings (Germany), Brigit Prinz (Germany), Kelly Smith (England) and Marta (Brazil)
Lionel Messi will be looking to end the year on a high by wining this award. Clinching the European player of the year award, was a huge moment for this young sensational forward. December 21st will yet again be aonther day when the whole football world eagerly awaits to see who will be crowned the best player of the year 2009.
On the men’s side, Messi is the clear favourite to win this award while on the women’s side, i would have to single out Marta, Cristiane and Kelly Smith as the top contenders. Marta who will be looking to win this award for the 4th time in a row will have some strong competition from her fellow country woman Cristiane.
FIFA have also introduced a number of other awards that will also be up for grabs key among them being the FIFA Puskas award. This award will be presented to the player who scored the best goal in the past year. The Puskas award is created in honour of Ferenc Puskas the former Hungarian and Real Madrid star. That said, my take for this year’s winners for the world player of the year award for both men and women is Lionel Messi and Marta.
