Otago Daily Times

Mbappe in line for top award

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LONDON: France’s World Cup star Kylian Mbappe joined regulars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on the shortlist for Fifa men’s player of the year award, football’s world governing body announced yesterday.

Ronaldo, who has won the award for the past two years, helped Real Madrid claim a third consecutiv­e Champions League crown before securing a close season transfer to Juventus.

Argentine forward Messi topped the scoring charts with 34 goals in Barcelona’s third La Liga title win in the past four seasons.

The 19yearold Mbappe followed up a domestic treble with Paris St Germain with a string of impressive performanc­es in France’s World Cupwinning campaign.

He became only the second teenager after Pele to score in a

World Cup final as France powered past

Croatia 42 to win the sport’s top prize for the second time, 20 years after its their first triumph.

Mbappe was joined by compatriot Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane on the 10man shortlist.

France coach Didier Deschamps and former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane head the nominees for the men’s coach of the year award.

England manager Gareth Southgate was also named on the shortlist after guiding the national team to a first World Cup semifinal in 28 years.

England fullback Lucy Bronze, who won the European crown in her first season with Lyon, was nominated for the women’s player of the year.

The 26yearold is one of six Lyon players on the shortlist, featuring alongside Ada Hegerberg, Saki Kumagai, Dzsenifer Marozsan and French duo Amandine Henry and Wendie Renard.

The three finalists for each award will be revealed at a later date, with the winners to be announced in a ceremony in London on September 24. — Reuters

 ??  ?? Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe

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