FIFA Best Awards: Ronaldo and Messi lead list of 10 top stars - who should win?
CRISTIANO RONALDO and Lionel Messi will battle it out once again for FIFA's Best Men's Player award - Here is Express Sport's rundown of the 10 names fighting it out for the honour.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane scooped up the awards last year (Image: Getty)
Cristiano Ronaldo
Clear-favourite for a clear reason, Ronaldo has enjoyed yet another fine season in world football.
Despite a slow start to the campaign for himself and Madrid, the Portuguese star found a purple patch in 2018.
The 33-year-old netted 44 goals in 44 games for Los Blancos last term, as the club won their third successive Champions League.
After scoring four goals for Portugal in the World Cup, Ronaldo has recently turned his back on Madrid after nine years, moving to Juventus for £105m.
Lionel Messi
Messi looks to have ended his international career on an almighty low after Argentina's dismal showing in Russia this summer.
Despite netting in the final group game against Nigeria, the Barcelona icon failed to save a team hugely at odds with manager Jorge Sampaoli.
But for Barcelona, it was a different story.
Messi netted 34 league goals in 36 outings as the Catalan outfit ran away with La Liga.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel will battle it out once again (Image: Getty)
The nominees for the @FIFAcom Best Men's Player Award
???????????? Cristiano Ronaldo ???????????? Kevin De Bruyne ???????????? Antoine Griezmann ???????????? Eden Hazard ?????????????????????????????????????????? Harry Kane ???????????? Kylian Mbappe ???????????? Lionel Messi ???????????? Luka Modric ???????????? Mo Salah ???????????? Raphael Varane
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Kevin De Bruyne
The gem in Manchester City's Premier League crown, De Bruyne arguably enjoyed his best ever season over the last 12 months as Pep Guardiola won his first English league title.
The Belgian's midfield link-up play with David Silva and Fernandinho made it easy for the likes of Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, who all contributed to a team which is now considered one of the best in Premier League history.
De Bruyne was also front and centre as Roberto Martinez's Belgium reached the final four of the World Cup this summer.
Antoine Griezmann
Some people may know Griezmann for his transfer sagas and his unusual celebrations - but on the pitch this season, the Frenchman has been as good as ever.
Atletico Madrid were resigned to losing the forward last summer as Barcelona and Manchester United circled.
However, Griezmann stayed loyal to Diego Simeone's side, helping the club settle into their spanking new stadium.
The 27-year-old netted 27 goals in all competitions for the Spanish side before enjoying a strong World Cup for eventual winners France.
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Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are both up for the honour (Image: Getty)
Eden Hazard
By the time the FIFA awards are here, Hazard may be playing for a different side in a different country.
Chelsea have kept hold of their star man despite continued interest from Real Madrid over the years.
However, after a stunning World Cup, it appears the Spanish giants will finally land Hazard this summer.
The Belgian was key to his country's solid campaign in Russia, despite a relatively quiet season at Stamford Bridge.
Harry Kane
Tottenham once again fell short of winning any silverware last term - but Kane's stock has continued to rise.
After falling to keep up with Mohamed Salah in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot, the England forward had the country believing as he started the World Cup in electric form.
Six goals in the tournament saw him lift the Golden Boot, despite the Three Lions' unfortunate exit in the semi-final.
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Kylian Mbappe enjoyed an incredible World Cup (Image: Getty)
Kylian Mbappe
The nearest thing to Thierry Henry since the former Arsenal forward was running the show on the world stage.
Despite moving to PSG for £166m last summer, it took an exceptional World Cup for people to truly start to take notice of Kylian Mbappe.
The 19-year-old single-handedly dumped Argentina out of the tournament, picking up the baton from Messi as he trudged down the tunnel at full-time.
As well as a brilliant summer, Mbappe netted 21 goals PSG last season as they regained the Ligue 1 title.
Luka Modric
Modric arguably wouldn't be included among the nominations had it not been for a fantastic World Cup.
Against all the odds, Croatia made it to the final with the Real Madrid man dragging them through the knockout stages with his incredible ability.
Modric is even more of a hero back home after his exploits in Russia, where he was named the Player of the Tournament.
And another Champions League winners' medal also didn't harm his chances of being nominated by FIFA for this award.
Mohamed Salah almost guided Liverpool to the Champions League final (Image: Getty)
Mohamed Salah
If Carlsberg did debut seasons, they probably wouldn't be as good as Salah's first term at Anfield.
After a failed stint at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, the Egyptian was out to prove his Premier League doubters wrong.
Salah netted 44 goals in all competitions as Liverpool fell at the final hurdle in the Champions League final.
The forward was forced off with an injury on that fateful night in Kiev, leaving Liverpool fans to wonder what if...
Raphael Varane
It feels unusual to call Varane underrated - but he most certainly is.
A Real Madrid starter from his teenage years, the Frenchman has won 16 trophies before his 26th birthday.
Two La Ligas, four Champions Leagues and a World Cup? Yet some people would still forget to put Varane in their World XI when discussing it down the pub...