Sports
FIFA Releases Shortlist For The Best Football Awards 2021

FIFA has revealed the candidates shortlisted for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2021, the winners of which will be revealed at an online ceremony on 17 January 2022.
Two expert panels – one for women’s football and one for men’s football – selected the candidates for each category.
The nominees are listed below in alphabetical order:
The Best FIFA Women’s Player:
- Stina Blackstenius (Sweden / BK Häcken)
- Aitana Bonmatí (Spain / FC Barcelona)
Lucy Bronze (England / Manchester City WFC) - Magdalena Eriksson (Sweden / Chelsea FC Women)
- Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway / FC Barcelona)
- Pernille Harder (Denmark / Chelsea FC Women)
- Jennifer Hermoso (Spain / FC Barcelona)
- Ji Soyun (Korea Republic / Chelsea FC Women)
- Sam Kerr (Australia / Chelsea FC Women)
- Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands / Arsenal WFC)
- Alexia Putellas (Spain / FC Barcelona)
- Christine Sinclair (Canada / Portland Thorns FC)
- Ellen White (England / Manchester City WFC)
The Best FIFA Men’s Player:
Karim Benzema (France / Real Madrid CF)
Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium / Manchester City FC)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Juventus FC / Manchester United FC)
Erling Haaland (Norway / BV Borussia 09 Dortmund)
Jorginho (Italy / Chelsea FC)
N’Golo Kanté (France / Chelsea FC)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland / FC Bayern München)
Kylian Mbappé (France / Paris Saint-Germain)
Lionel Messi (Argentina / FC Barcelona / Paris Saint-Germain)
Neymar (Brazil / Paris Saint-Germain)
Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool FC).
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach:
Lluís Cortés (Spain / FC Barcelona)
Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden / Swedish national team)
Emma Hayes (England / Chelsea FC Women)
Beverly Priestman (England / Canadian national team)
Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / Dutch national team / English national team)
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach:
Antonio Conte (Italy / FC Internazionale Milano / Tottenham Hotspur FC)
Hansi Flick (Germany / FC Bayern München / German national team)
Pep Guardiola (Spain / Manchester City FC)
Roberto Mancini (Italy / Italian national team)
Lionel Sebastián Scaloni (Argentina / Argentinian national team)
Diego Simeone (Argentina / Atlético de Madrid)
Thomas Tuchel (Germany / Chelsea FC).
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper:
Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany / Chelsea FC Women)
Christiane Endler (Chile / Paris Saint-Germain / Olympique Lyonnais)
Stephanie Lynn Marie Labbé (Canada / FC Rosengård / Paris Saint-Germain)
Hedvig Lindahl (Sweden / Atlético de Madrid Femenino)
Alyssa Naeher (USA / Chicago Red Stars).
The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper:
Alisson Becker (Brazil / Liverpool FC)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy / AC Milan / Paris Saint-Germain)
Édouard Mendy (Senegal / Chelsea FC)
Manuel Neuer (Germany / FC Bayern München)
Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark / Leicester City FC)
Public voting will run until 23:59 CET on 10 December 2021.
FIFA will announce the three finalists in each of the seven categories listed above in early January 2022.
(VANGUARD)
Sports
EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title
Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.
City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.
The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.
READ ALSO:EPL: Chelsea Winger, Mudryk Banned For Four Years After Failing Drug Test
Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.
He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.
“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”
Sports
UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies
Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.
Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.
Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.
READ ALSO:EPL: Guardiola Reveals Only Chance Man City Will Win Title Ahead Of Arsenal
According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.
“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.
“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.
READ ALSO:EPL: Arsenal In Shock Move To Sign Kvaratskhelia From PSG
“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.
“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”
Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.
Sports
Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.
Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.
In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.
“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.
READ ALSO:Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office
He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.
“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.
The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.
Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.
READ ALSO:2025 NYG: Be Determined, Enabulele Charges Team Edo, As Screening Commences In A’Ibom
“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.
Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.
“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.
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