Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati were named finalists for the FIFA Best Players of the Year Awards by world football’s governing body on Thursday. Messi was awarded a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or crown in October in Paris, while Bonmati took the women’s prize after starring for Spain in their Women’s World Cup triumph. Messi won his second FIFA best player trophy last year after helping Argentina win the World Cup. Bonmati and Hermoso both scored three goals in the tournament as Spain lifted the Women’s World Cup for the first time, while Bonmati also won the Women’s Champions League with Barcelona last season. Caicedo, 18, starred in Colombia’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals and has since signed for Real Madrid.

Source: Punch December 14, 2023 20:59 UTC