Rome: Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk is on the shortlist to add FIFA’s ‘’Best Player Award’ to his UEFA Men’s ‘Player of the Year’ honour.
The Dutch international denied Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the European title last week and the same trio is in the running for the FIFA accolade to be announced September 23 in Milan.
Virgil van Dijk starred in Liverpool’s triumphant Champions League campaign.
England full-back Lucy Bronze won UEFA Women’s Award and is on FIFA’s shortlist with the United States’ World Cup-winning duo Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is up against Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham for the ‘Best Men’s Coach Award’.
Phil Neville, who led England’s women to a World Cup semifinal, is up for the Women’s Coach Award with the USA’s Jill Ellis and Sarina Wiegman who guided European champions the Netherlands to the World Cup final.
Men’s best player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus/Portugal), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool/Netherlands).
Women’s best player: Lucy Bronze (Lyon/England), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride/USA), Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC/USA).
Men’s coach award: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham).
Best men’s goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool/Brazil), Ederson (Manchester City/Brazil), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona/Germany).
Puskas award (for best goal): Lionel Messi (Barcelona v Real Betis), Juan Quintero (River Plate v Racing Club), Daniel Zsori (Debrecen v Ferencvaros).
AFP