Lionel Messi leads Men's FIFA The Best shortlist, Lionesses Beth Mead, Keira Walsh, Leah Williamson up for Women's award

The shortlists for the FIFA Best awards have been revealed and Lionel Messi is front and centre for the men's prize after leading Argentina to victory in the World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year. The England Lionesses secured European Championship glory last summer and three players in the shape of Beth Mead, Keira Walsh and Leah Williamson are in contention.

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Lionel Messi is in line to win the Men's FIFA Best award for a second time, while Beth Mead, Keira Walsh and Leah Williamson have been nominated for the Women’s Prize.

After winning the World Cup with Argentina at the end of last year, Messi ticked off one of the final things missing from his CV.

In inspiring his country to victory in Qatar, he boosted his claims to be the greatest to have played the game.

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It appeared to end the debate over who is the superior of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The latter still has something over Messi, as the Portuguese has won FIFA’s Best award on two occasions to one for the Argentina great.

Messi seems certain to draw level after being named on the 14-man shortlist.

His Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe may have something to say after also featuring on the shortlist, but Messi appears a standout performer.

There is one England international nominated, with Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund rewarded for his efforts for club and country.

There are four nominees from the Premier League: Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Kevin De Bruyne (all Manchester City) and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool - albeit Sadio Mane's form for the Reds before his summer move to Batern Munich earned him a spot.

The Best FIFA Men’s Player:

England’s Lionesses brought European Championship glory home last summer, and four of Sarina Wiegman’s team have been included on the shortlist.

Beth Mead, who is currently sidelined with a knee injury, leads the charge alongside Keira Walsh and Leah Williamson.

Barcelona superstar Alexia Putellas offers stiff competition, as does Ada Hegerberg who is back at the top of the sport after recovering from a serious knee injury of her own.