Fans in disbelief after 11-player shortlist for The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2024 award is announced

The 11-man shortlist for The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2024 award has been made public, with Toni Kroos, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe featuring in the controversial line-up.

FIFA announced their nominees for the annual award on Thursday night ahead of the ceremony which will be held in January 2025.

They confirmed that the contenders have been selected based on their performances from 21 August 2023 to 10 August 2024 before explaining each player’s standout achievements.

So who made the list? To the surprise of many, the likes of Mohamed Salah, Viktor Gyokeres, Harry Kane and Cole Palmer missed out.

Instead, Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi was included alongside Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Erling Haaland, Toni Kroos, Kylian Mbappe, Rodri, Federico Valverde, Vinicius Jr, Florian Wirtz and Lamine Yamal.

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the announcement.

One said: "If I speak.. kinda crazy how Salah isn't even here," while another commented: "No Salah and Kane is absolutely criminal."

A third wrote: "Who votes for these man how did Messi sneak here."

A fourth said: "How the f*** is Messi here? I legitimately don't understand anymore, does the World Cup count every year lmao?" and a fifth added: "The disrespect to Salah is continuing."

In fact, Salah missed out on the 22-man shortlist for The Best FIFA Men’s 11 as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ollie Watkins and Luis Suarez featured alongside former West Brom and Everton striker Salomon Rondon.

Image credit: FIFA

As mentioned earlier, FIFA explained those choices for The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2024 award on their official website. Here is an insight into those picks.

Jude Bellingham: "Bellingham enjoyed an exceptional maiden season with Real Madrid, winning a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double. He netted 23 goals in 42 matches across all competitions, including match-winning strikes in two Clasico showdowns with Barcelona.

"The 21-year-old then helped England reach the UEFA EURO 2024 final, with his acrobatic last-gasp equaliser in a last-16 win over Slovakia one of the tournament’s most memorable moments."

Dani Carvajal: "Carvajal was figure of consistency and class for club and country throughout 2023/24. His standout contribution came in the Champions League final, when his fine glancing header opened the scoring in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.

"The experienced right-back then played an important role in Spain’s EURO 2024 triumph, starting five of their seven matches, including the final win over England."

Erling Haaland: "Haaland has continued to score at a barely credible rate for Manchester City and Norway. He fired his club to an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row, scoring 27 goals in 31 top-flight games to win the Golden Boot prize.

"The powerhouse striker has also been in lethal form at international level. At the age of just 24, he has already become Norway’s all-time leading marksman, having netted 38 times in just 39 senior appearances."

Image credit: Getty

Toni Kroos: "Kroos brought the curtain down on his stellar career in typical fashion, lifting a trio of trophies with Real Madrid. The elegant midfielder, whose range of passing continued to delight even in the twilight of his career, was an integral part of the all-conquering Real squad who lifted the UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Supercopa de Espana trophies.

"The dream of more international glory with Germany was too much to ask, though, as Kroos and his team-mates exited UEFA EURO 2024 in the quarter-finals at the hands of eventual winners Spain."

Kylian Mbappe: "Mbappe fired Paris St Germain to a league and cup double in his final season with French giants. With 27 goals in 29 Ligue 1 games in 2023/24, he won the division’s Golden Boot award for an astonishing sixth consecutive campaign.

"Mbappe also struck eight times in PSG’s run to the Champions League semi-finals and was the competition’s joint top-scorer alongside Harry Kane. The striker, who helped France reach the last four at EURO 2024, completed a move to Real Madrid in July."

Lionel Messi: "Messi may be 37 years old, but he continues to have a huge influence for Inter Miami and Argentina. His inspirational performances helped his club follow up their 2023 Leagues Cup triumph by winning the 2024 Supporters’ Shield – the title awarded to the MLS team with the best regular-season record.

"Messi also captained Argentina to Copa America glory and finished the year as the leading scorer in CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 26 qualifying with six goals."

Image credit: Getty

Rodri: "Rodri was at the heart of Manchester City and Spain’s respective successes over the past 12 months. The midfield general’s leadership, composure and technical excellence was on show throughout City’s victorious Premier League campaign, while he also starred as they won the FIFA Club World Cup 2023.

"He was recognised with the competition’s adidas Golden Ball Award – and was also named Player of the Tournament at EURO 2024."

Federico Valverde: "Valverde was a near ever-present for Real Madrid during their La Liga and Champions League-winning season. A midfielder with high football intelligence, an excellent passing range and phenomenal stamina, he played more minutes for the club than any other squad member in 2023/24.

"Valverde was also a key figure for Uruguay as they finished third at the Copa America 2024."

Vinicius Jr: Vinicius enjoyed the most spectacular season of his career in 2023/24. The electrifying forward regularly produced match-defining moments for Real Madrid, as he racked up 24 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions.

"His highlights included a goal in their Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund and a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final."

Image credit: Getty

Florian Wirtz: Wirtz dazzled during Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable 2023/24 campaign, in which they won a league and cup double and reached the UEFA Europa League final. Creative and clinical, the 21-year-old playmaker registered 18 goals and 20 assists in all competitions.

"Wirtz has also established himself with senior Germany national team and scored twice at EURO 2024."

Lamine Yamal: "Yamal has further enhanced his status as one of the most exciting talents of his generation. The forward, who only turned 17 in July 2024, has emerged as one of Barcelona’s most valuable players and lit up EURO 2024 with a series of stunning displays.

"He provided four assists and scored one goal during Spain’s run to the title. His fabulous curling strike against France in the semi-final won the competition’s Goal of the Tournament prize – and he also took the award for the competition’s best young player."

Thoughts on the shortlist? Let us know in the comments.