The Best FIFA Football Awards 2021 were held on 17 January 2022. The ceremony was held virtually due to the ongoing

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

Winners and nominees

The Best FIFA Men's Player

Eleven players were initially shortlisted on 22 November 2021. The three finalists were revealed on 7 January 2022.

Robert Lewandowski Robert Lewandowski (; born 21 August 1988) is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a striker for La Liga club Barcelona and captains the Poland national team. Recognised for his positioning, technique and finishing, Lewandowski is co ...

won the award with 48 rank points, his second consecutive win. The selection criteria for the men's players of the year was: respective achievements during the period from 8 October 2020 to 7 August 2021.

The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper

Five players were initially shortlisted on 22 November 2021. The three finalists were revealed on 5 January 2022.

Édouard Mendy Édouard Osoque Mendy (born 1 March 1992) is a Senegalese professional association football, footballer who plays as a Goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper for club Chelsea F.C., Chelsea and the Senegal national football team, Senegal ...

won the award with 24 rank points. Édouard Mendy 2021

The Best FIFA Men's Coach

Seven coaches were initially shortlisted on 22 November 2021. The three finalists were revealed on 6 January 2022.

Thomas Tuchel Thomas Tuchel (; born 29 August 1973) is a German professional football manager and former player who last managed Premier League club Chelsea. Born in Krumbach, Tuchel retired at age 25 after a chronic knee cartilage injury; in 2000, he b ...

won the award with 28 rank points. Thomas Tuchel Chelsea

The Best FIFA Women's Player

Thirteen players were initially shortlisted on 22 November 2021. The three finalists were revealed on 7 January 2022.

Alexia Putellas Alexia Putellas Segura (Catalan: Alèxia Putellas i Segura, ; born 4 February 1994) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Barcelona, which she captains, and the Spain national team. She previously played for Espan ...

won the award with 52 rank points. The selection criteria for the women's players of the year was: respective achievements during the period from 8 October 2020 to 6 August 2021.

The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper

Five players were initially shortlisted on 22 November 2021. The three finalists were revealed on 5 January 2022.

Christiane Endler Claudia Christiane Endler Mutinelli (born 23 July 1991) is a Chilean professional footballer who plays as goalkeeper for Division 1 Féminine club Lyon and the Chile national team. She has previously played for Colo-Colo, Valencia, Paris Sain ...

won the award with 26 rank points. Chile - Sudáfrica 20181009 16

The Best FIFA Women's Coach

Five coaches were initially shortlisted on 22 November 2021. The three finalists were revealed on 6 January 2022.

Emma Hayes Emma Carol Hayes (born 18 October 1976) is an English professional football manager. She is currently the manager of FA WSL club Chelsea Women. She previously served as the head coach and director of football operations for Chicago Red Stars o ...

won the award with 22 rank points.

FIFA Puskás Award

The eleven players initially shortlisted for the award were announced on 29 November 2021. The three finalists were revealed on 4 January 2022. All goals up for consideration were scored from 8 October 2020 to 7 August 2021. Every registered FIFA.com user was allowed to participate in the final vote until 17 December 2021, with the questionnaire being presented on the official website of FIFA. The selected goals were also voted on by a panel of ten "FIFA experts". Both groups' votes weighed equally on the ultimate winner of the award.

Erik Lamela Erik Manuel Lamela Cordero (born 4 March 1992) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for La Liga club Sevilla and the Argentina national team. Lamela began his career at River Plate and in 201 ...

won the award with 22 rank points.

FIFA Fan Award

The award celebrates the best fan moments or gestures of October 2020 to August 2021, regardless of championship, gender or nationality. The shortlist was compiled by a panel of FIFA experts, and every registered FIFA.com user was allowed to participate in the final vote until 14 January 2022. The three nominees were announced on 22 November 2021.

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark ...

and

Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...

fans won the award with over 100,000 registered votes.

FIFA Fair Play Award

The Best FIFA Special Award

An additional award was given out to

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...

Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (; born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains the Portugal national team. He is currently a free agent. Widely regarded as one of the greatest p ...

and

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

Christine Sinclair Christine Margaret Sinclair (born June 12, 1983) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward and captains both National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club Portland Thorns FC and the Canadian national team. An Olympic go ...

, to recognize them becoming the all-time leading international goalscorers in men and women's senior football, respectively.

FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11

The 23–player men's shortlist was announced on 14 December 2021. The players chosen were

Gianluigi Donnarumma Gianluigi Donnarumma (born 25 February 1999) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Italy national football team, Italy national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best ...

as goalkeeper,

David Alaba David Olatukunbo Alaba (born 24 June 1992) is an Austrian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for La Liga club Real Madrid and captains the Austria national team. Alaba started out in Bayern's youth system before b ...

Leonardo Bonucci Leonardo Bonucci (; born 1 May 1987) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back and captains both club Juventus and the Italy national team. Known for his technique and ball-playing ability, he is regarded as one of the b ...

and

Rúben Dias Rúben dos Santos Gato Alves Dias (; born 14 May 1997) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for club Manchester City and the Portugal national team. Considered one of the best defenders in the world, he is know ...

as defenders,

Kevin De Bruyne Kevin De Bruyne (born 28 June 1991) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Manchester City and the Belgium national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. Pundits have often desc ...

, Jorginho and

N'Golo Kanté N'Golo Kanté (born 29 March 1991) is a French professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for club Chelsea and the France national team. Considered by many to be one of the world's best midfielders, Kanté is widely praised ...

as midfielders, and

Erling Haaland Erling Braut Haaland (; born 21 July 2000) is a Norwegian professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Manchester City and the Norway national team. Considered one of the best players in the world, he is known for his speed, stre ...

Lionel Messi Lionel Andrés Messi (; born 24 June 1987), also known as Leo Messi, is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Paris Saint-Germain and captains the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the ...

and

as forwards. ; Other nominees

FIFA FIFPRO Women's World 11

The 23–player women's shortlist was announced on 14 December 2021. The players chosen were

as goalkeeper,

Millie Bright Millie Bright (born 21 August 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Chelsea and the England national team. She previously played for Doncaster Belles, Leeds Ladies and represented England on the under-19 an ...

Lucy Bronze Lucia Roberta Tough Bronze (born 28 October 1991), known as Lucy Bronze, is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Barcelona and the England national team. She has previously played for Sunderland, Everton, Liverpool, Lyon a ...

Magdalena Eriksson Magdalena Lilly Eriksson (also Ericsson, born 8 September 1993) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Chelsea Women in the English Women's Super League as well as for the Swedish national team.

and

Wendie Renard Wendie Thérèse Renard (born 20 July 1990) is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back and captains both Division 1 Féminine club Lyon and the France national team. Renard is one of the most decorated players in modern wome ...

as defenders,

Estefanía Banini Estefanía Romina Banini Ruiz (born 21 June 1990) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish Primera División club Atlético Madrid and the Argentina women's national team. Banini has previously spent four ...

Barbara Bonansea Barbara Bonansea (born 13 June 1991) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a forward or midfielder for Serie A club Juventus FC and the Italy women's national team. Club career After more than a 100 games for A.C.F. Torino, Bona ...

and

Carli Lloyd Carli Anne Hollins (; born July 16, 1982) is an American former professional soccer player. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008 and 2012), two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion (2015 and 2019), two-time FIFA Player of the Year ...

as midfielders, and

Marta Marta may refer to: People * Marta (given name), a feminine given name * Märta, a feminine given name * Marta (surname) :István Márta composer * Marta (footballer) (born 1986), Brazilian professional footballer Places * Marta (river), an ...

Vivianne Miedema Anna Margaretha Marina Astrid "Vivianne" Miedema (; born 15 July 1996) is a Dutch professional association football, footballer who plays as a Forward (association football), forward for FA Women's Super League (FA WSL) club Arsenal W.F.C., Arse ...

and

Alex Morgan Alexandra Morgan Carrasco (born Alexandra Patricia Morgan; July 2, 1989) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a striker and captains for San Diego Wave FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the highest division of ...

as forwards. ; Other nominees

Selection panels

Men's selection panel

The panel of experts who shortlisted the nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2021 for the men's players and coaches comprised: *

Ali Al-Habsi Ali Abdullah Harib Al-Habsi ( ar, علي بن عبد الله بن حارب الحبسي; born 30 December 1981) is an Omani retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Club career Early career Al-Habsi was born in Oman and star ...

Jared Borgetti Jared Francisco Borgetti Echavarría (; born 14 August 1973) is a Mexican former professional Association football, footballer who currently works as a commentator for ESPN Deportes and ESPN Latin America, ESPN Mexico. As a player, Borgetti wa ...

Tim Cahill Timothy Filiga Cahill (; born 6 December 1979) is an Australian former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder but also played as a striker on many occasions. A box-to-box midfielder, Cahill became recognised for "his ag ...

* Júlio César *

Geremi Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso (born 20 December 1978), known simply as Geremi, is a Cameroonian former footballer. He was a versatile player able to play at right back, right midfield or defensive midfielder, known for his power, pace, combative st ...

Jürgen Klinsmann Jürgen Klinsmann (, born 30 July 1964) is a German professional football manager and former player. Klinsmann played for several prominent clubs in Europe including VfB Stuttgart, Inter Milan, Monaco, Tottenham Hotspur, and Bayern Munich. He ...

Alexi Lalas Panayotis Alexander "Alexi" Lalas ( el, Αλέξης Λάλας; born June 1, 1970) is an American retired soccer player who played mostly as a defender. Lalas is best known for his participation with the United States men's national soccer te ...

Javier Mascherano Javier Alejandro Mascherano (born 8 June 1984) is an Argentine professional football coach and former player who is the head coach of the Argentina national under-20 team. As a player, he played as a centre-back or defensive midfielder, most not ...

Ryan Nelsen Ryan William Nelsen (born 18 October 1977) is a former New Zealand professional football player and former head coach of Major League Soccer side Toronto FC. Nelsen commonly played as a defender, and his professional career began in 1995. He ...

David Trezeguet David Sergio Trezeguet (born 15 October 1977) is a French former professional footballer who played as a striker. Trezeguet began his career in Argentina with Club Atlético Platense at the age of eight, progressing through their youth system ...

Women's selection panel

The panel of experts who shortlisted the nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2021 for the women's players and coaches comprised: * Florence Adhiambo *

Margaret Aka Margaret Aka (born 1976) is a soccer player and coach from Papua New Guinea. She is the first woman in Papua New Guinea — and the first in the world outside of New Zealand — to receive an Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) B License in coachi ...

Eniola Aluko Eniola Aluko (born 21 February 1987) is a football executive, commentator, and former professional player. She is the first Sporting Director for Angel City FC of the American National women's soccer league and formerly held the position of Spor ...

Emma Byrne Emma Anne Byrne (born 14 June 1979) is an Irish football goalkeeper who played for the Republic of Ireland women's national football team on a record 134 occasions and served as captain of the team. She spent almost 17 years with Arsenal before ...

April Heinrichs April Dawn Heinrichs (born February 27, 1964) is an American former soccer player and coach. She was among the first players on the United States women's national soccer team, and was captain of the United States team which won the first ever FIF ...

* Rosana * Memunatu Sulemana *

Homare Sawa is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward or a midfielder. Regarded by many as one of the greatest female footballers of all time and the greatest Asian female footballer of all time, Sawa had a professional club care ...

* Marta Tejedor *

Chan Yuen Ting Chan Yuen Ting (; born 7 October 1988) is a former association football, football player and coach. She is the current head coach of Jiangsu L.F.C. In 2016, she became the first woman to coach a men's professional football team to the champion ...

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Best FIFA Football Awards 2010, The

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