Women’s World Cup player of the tournament Aitana Bonmati and her Spain teammate Jenni Hermoso were nominated for the FIFA Best Player award on Thursday, along with six Manchester City triple winners.
The 16 nominees for women’s best player included Bonmati and three of her World Cup-winning teammates, including Hermoso.
Following Spain’s World Cup final victory against England in Sydney, Hermoso was forcibly kissed on the lips by Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales.
Rubiales has since resigned from his position and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday on sexual assault accusations.
Manchester City attackers Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, as well as midfielders Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva, are all up for the men’s title.
Ilkay Gundogan, who won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League with Manchester City before joining Barcelona, was also nominated.
Lionel Messi, last year’s winner, was also included due to his recent success for MLS team Inter Miami.
The controversial World Cup-winning coach of Spain, Jorge Vilda, was left off the shortlist for best women’s coach.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola, Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi and Ange Postecoglou, who joined Tottenham from Celtic in the close season, are on the men’s list.
Women’s best player nominees: Aitana Bonmati (ESP), Linda Caicedo (COL), Rachel Daly (ENG), Kadidiatou Diani (FRA), Caitlin Foord (AUS), Mary Fowler (AUS), Alex Greenwood (ENG), Jenni Hermoso (ESP), Lindsey Horan (USA), Amanda Ilestedt (SWE), Lauren James (ENG), Sam Kerr (AUS), Mapi Leon (ESP), Hinata Miyazawa (JPN), Salma Paralluelo (ESP), Keira Walsh (ENG)
Men’s best player nominees: Julian Alvarez (ARG), Marcelo Brozovic (CRO), Kevin De Bruyne (BEL), İlkay Gundogan (GER), Erling Haaland (NOR), Rodri (ESP), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (GEO), Kylian Mbappe (FRA), Lionel Messi (ARG), Victor Osimhen (NGR), Declan Rice (ENG), Bernardo Silva (POR)
Women’s best coach nominees: Peter Gerhardsson (SWE), Jonatan Giraldez (ESP), Tony Gustavsson (SWE), Emma Hayes (ENG), Sarina Wiegman (NED)
Men’s best coach nominees: Pep Guardiola (ESP), Simone Inzaghi (ITA), Ange Postecoglou (AUS), Luciano Spalletti (ITA), Xavi (ESP)
