World Cup: Messi, Neymar make 10-man best player award list

Argentine Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar have been nominated among the 10 players shortlisted for the award for best player at the World Cup.

Finalists, Argentina and Germany produced seven of the candidates announced by FIFA on Friday.

Messi is nominated along with Argentina teammates Angel Di Maria and Javier Mascherano, while Germany provides four candidates: Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos, Philipp Lahm and Thomas Mueller.

Neymar is the only candidate from Brazil. Arjen Robben of the Netherlands and James Rodriquez of Colombia, the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, complete the list.


The players were selected by FIFA’s technical study group of coaching analysts and the winner is selected by the FIFA technical group and announced after the final.

The candidates for best young player are Memphis Depay of the Netherlands, and France pair Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane. Nominees for that award must have been born since Jan. 1, 1993.

List:

-Lionel Messi (Argentina)

-Neymar (Brazil)

-Angel Di Maria (Argentina)

-Javier Mascherano (Argentina)

-Mats Hummels (Germany)

-Toni Kroos (Germany)

-Philipp Lahm (Germany)

-Thomas Mueller (Germany)

-Arjen Robben (Netherlands)

James Rodriquez (Colombia)