Zurich: The 2020/21 footballing season is approaching towards the finish and some of the teams have almost sealed their domestic titles with the fight for the biggest continental supremacy up for grabs as Manchester City and Chelsea locking horns in the final of the UEFA Champions League in Istanbul. Manchester City and Bayern Munich perhaps will go on to win the Premier League and the Bundesliga respectively with Inter Milan already sealing the Serie-A. However, the question about who will claim the FIFA Men Best Player for 2021 is in the air already. An event that everyone will be looking at. Poland’s Robert Lewandowski was the winner of the last year but there will be some serious competition this year as the possible nominees have put-on remarkable performances so far in this season for their respective sides. So, let us check who could be the contenders for the Ultimate individual honour.
Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne is probably the biggest contender for this season. The Belgian midfielder is undeniably the talisman for Manchester City’s quest for glory. The 29 year old played has been the creative hub for Pep Guardiola’s side since he joined the club back in 2015 and this season too he has been on fire scoring 9 while setting up 17. He scored some crucial goals in the too most notably in the first leg of the semi final against Paris Saint-Germain receiving the man of the match. As City line up against Chelsea in the Champions League final and If he can inspire them to the crown, he will be a serious contender for sure.
Robert Lewandowski
Scoring goals is one of the hardest things to do in football but to Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, it seems pretty easy. The Polish Forward won the award last guiding the Bavarian side to a historic treble. This year too, he has been right on the money slotting 41 goals in all competitions which could possibly get him the European Golden Shoe as well. Such is his influence on the gameplay of the Bavarian side, that with his absence Bayern failed make it to the semi-finals of this season’s Champions League. A modern day classic no.9, Lewandowski despite being 32, is still at his peak and will be man to look for sure.
Kylian Mbappe
When Kylian Mbappe scored in World Cup final against Croatia back in 2018, the teenage Frenchman was labeled as a sensation for the upcoming generation. The question was can he keep up this consistency in the big boys’ game? The Frenchman though proved his worth as he has been brilliant for Paris Saint-Germain so far netting 8 times in the Champions League while being the top of the scoring charts in the Ligue-1. Although still 22, he has showed tremendous progress in his game. The Golden Boy winner of 2017, Mbappe will be looking to claim the ultimate individual prize as well.
Erling Haaland:
The winner of last year’s FIFA Golden Year, its hard believe that the Norwegian is still only 20 but despite his age, he showed jaw-dropping maturity in front of goal. His goal scoring feats are such remarkable even that after suffering injury early in this season, he has managed almost a goal per game netting 37 goals so far. Haaland is also the top scorer of this season’s Champions League with 10 strikes which puts him in a possible nominees for the award.
Bruno Fernandes:
Since, the Portuguese midfielder joined back in the winter transfer window back in 2020, he has transformed the dynamics of the Manchester United midfield with his all-round gameplay, leadership and intelligence. Be it defensively or offensively, scoring or assisting he will always be there for Red Devils who turned their fortunes this season hoping for top four finish along with a possible UEFA Europa League title. The 26 year old struck 26 times this season while set-up 16 times in all competitions. Although Kevin de Bruyne took all the limelight as the best midfielder in the world, Fernandes is not far away challenging him and the FIFA Men’s Best Player award.
Lionel Messi
There was a time not long ago when this award was all about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but things have changed drastically with Luka Modric breaking the jinx back in 2018 winning the Player of the year award. However, FC Barcelona’s ongoing season again showcased that Messi is still the man to go for the Catalan club. The Mercurial Argentine despite 33 has shown no dip in his form waving his magic wand for the club. With his 36 goals and 12 assists this season, he inspired the Blaugranas a comeback in La-Liga now fighting for the domestic title and will be a firm contender if he leads them to the title at the end of the season.
Romelu Lukaku
Inter Milan sealed the 2020/21 Serie-A title with four games to play stopping the Juventus juggernaut and if one man was to be picked for this success of Nerazzurri, then it will definitely be Romelu Lukaku. Questioned for his technique at his previous disappointing stint at Manchester United, the big Belgian striker has come far reviving his career since joining Antonio Conte’s side back in 2019 making a fearsome duo with fellow striker Lautaro Martinez running havoc in the domestic season. Lukaku’s 21 strikes sitting just behind top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo in Serie-A will not get unnoticed when the voting for the nominees gets started.
