Millions of players break their sweat week in and week out to sustain the beautiful game of football(soccer, not hand-egg). To honour such players, The BEST FIFA Football award had its second ceremony on October 23, 2017. These awards are held since FIFA and France Football’s Ballon D’or parted ways after sticking together for six years in 2016. The star-studded eve in London began with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo marching in through the green carpet. Other notable players attending the ceremony included Neymar Jr., Sol Campbell, Olivier Giroud and Gianluigi Buffon among others.
The Preamble :
It was yet another annual tussle between the two best players in the game – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with Neymar being the obvious second runner-up. But the women’s awards were in the limelight this year due to the controversy surrounding Australian footballer Sam Kerr who failed to make it into the best FIFA Women’s Player shortlist. The striker, despite her exceptional form, was overlooked in favour of Venezuelan teen Deyna Castellanos having no senior international caps to her name. FIFA received flack all over social media for not including the all-time leading goal scorer in America’s National Women’s League.
The Awards :
The Best FIFA Men’s Player
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid) successfully defended his title with Lionel Messi(Argentina/FC Barcelona) bagging silver and Neymar(Brazil/Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain) at the third place.
The Best FIFA Women’s Player
Lieke Martens(Netherlands/FC Barcelona) won the title with Carli Lloyd (USA/ Houston Dash) in second place and a controversial third place to teenager Deyna Castellanos (Venezuela/Santa Clarita Blue Heat).
The Best FIFA Goalkeeper
This was the first time that the Goalkeeper’s award was conducted by FIFA. It was won by Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus) who beat Manuel Neuer (Germany/Bayern Munich), at second place, with Keylor Navas(Costa Rica/Real Madrid) at third.
The Best FIFA Men’s Coach
Zinedine Zidane won this award for his Champions League and La Liga Triumph with Real Madrid. Antonio Conte came in a close second for his successful premier league campaign with Chelsea FC and Italian champions Juventus’ coach Massimiliano Allegri was placed third in the category.
The Best FIFA Women’s Coach
Netherlands women’s international team coach Sarina Wiegman bagged the title with Denmark women’s international team coach Nils Nielsen on second and Lyon women’s team coach Gérard Prêcheur in third place.
FIFA Puskás Award
The FIFA Puskas award, meant to honor the most aesthetically significant goal scored by a player for a particular year, was won by Olivier Giroud(Arsenal), who clinched first place for his splendid scorpion kick goal against Crystal Palace with goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke(Baroka) in second and Deyna Castellanos(Venezuela) in third place.
FIFA Fair Play Award
Forward Francis Kouassi Koné(Zbrojovka Brno) was handed the fair play award for saving an opponent’s life by administering on-pitch first aid after a collision. Koné prevented opposition goalkeeper Martin Berkovec from swallowing his own tongue after he was knocked unconscious.
FIFA Fan Award
Celtic supporters were awarded the Fan Award this year after it was shared by Liverpool and Dortmund supporters in 2016.
FIFA FIFPro World11
This annual declaration conducted jointly by the FIFPro, the worldwide players’ union, and FIFA represents the best performing and most revered players for a particular year determined through thousands of votes cast by professional players themselves.
The Players included were:
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Milan), Dani Alves (Juventus/Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfielders: Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Forwards: Neymar Jr.(Barcelona/Paris Saint-Germain), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona)