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REVEALED: Why wasn’t Cristiano Ronaldo nominated for the Best FIFA Football Awards

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The finalists for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award are Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland, despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s impressive goalscoring performances with Al Nassr.

As the Best FIFA Football Awards draw near, Lionel Messi from Inter Miami, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé have emerged as the top contenders for the prestigious award.

Interestingly, Cristiano Ronaldo, who finished 2023 as the leading goalscorer globally, has been excluded from the final shortlist for the third consecutive year.

How many times has Ronaldo won Best FIFA Men’s Player?

Despite winning the first two Best FIFA Men’s Player awards in 2016 and 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo has been omitted from the final shortlist for the third consecutive year. Notably, he wasn’t even among the initial nominees for the second year in a row.

At 38, Ronaldo joins Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Messi as one of three players to have won the award twice.

Messi now has the opportunity to surpass them and become the most decorated men’s player in the history of the Best FIFA Football Awards.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s incredible 2023

Ronaldo has been snubbed despite performing superbly in 2023 for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, with his move away from elite-level soccer presumably the reason for his omission rather than his on-field achievements. The former Real Madrid attacker outscored everyone else in world soccer with 54 goals, two more than Mbappé and four better than Haaland, who won the Premier League-Champions League-FA Cup treble with City.

The Portugal captain picked up silverware of his own, however, leading Al Nassr to their first ever Arab Club Champions Cup victory by scoring two decisive goals in the final against Saudi Arabian rivals Al Hilal, who signed Neymar days after the match.

On a personal level, that was Ronaldo’s first trophy since 19 May 2021, when he won the Coppa Italia towards the end of his time with Juventus and before moving back to Manchester United.

FIFA doesn’t recognise Arab Club Champions Cup as major competition

Despite his outstanding performances for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo has been overlooked for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award, likely due to his move away from top-tier European soccer rather than his on-field achievements.

Ronaldo finished the season as the top goalscorer in world soccer with 54 goals, surpassing both Mbappé (52 goals) and Haaland (50 goals), who won the treble with Manchester City.

Ronaldo’s stint with Al Nassr also saw him lead the team to their first-ever Arab Club Champions Cup victory, where he played a pivotal role by scoring two crucial goals in the final against Al Hilal. This triumph marked Ronaldo’s first trophy since winning the Coppa Italia with Juventus in May 2021 before his return to Manchester United.

It’s worth noting that FIFA does not officially recognize the Arab Club Champions Cup as a major competition. However, Ronaldo remains a contender for a spot in the FIFPro Men’s World 11 for 2023 and was honored by FIFA in 2022 for becoming the all-time top goalscorer in men’s international soccer.

For the Best FIFA Men’s Player Award, performances between December 19, 2022 (the day after the 2022 World Cup final), and August 20, 2023, were considered. AS USA will provide live-text commentary of the ceremony to keep fans updated on all the action.

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Kalu Nweke joins Enyimba from Rangers on a two-year contract

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Kalu Nweke joins Enyimba from Rangers on a two-year contract

Midfielder Kalu Nweke has completed a move to Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Enyimba, opting not to extend his contract with reigning champions Rangers.

Nweke has signed a two-year deal with the Aba-based club, joining his former Rangers teammate and captain, Chukwudi Nwodu, who recently made a similar transfer.

Nweke played a pivotal role in Rangers’ title-winning campaign last season, contributing four goals in 29 appearances.

His arrival at Enyimba is anticipated to strengthen the team’s midfield as they prepare for the 2024/25 NPFL season.

This move is a significant boost for Enyimba, who have been actively reinforcing their squad ahead of the new season. Nweke’s creativity and experience are expected to enhance Enyimba’s title aspirations.

Nweke’s transfer is part of a flurry of activity in the NPFL, with notable moves such as Daniel Barnabas to El-Kanemi Warriors and Ifeanyi Anaemena rejoining Remo Stars.

The NPFL season is set to begin on August 31, with teams gearing up for what promises to be an exciting campaign.

In other news, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has appointed a new captain following Nacho Fernandez’s departure. Meanwhile, former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has disclosed that the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had previously advised him against inviting certain players to the national team.

As the NPFL season approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating thrilling matches and a high level of competition.

The introduction of VAR and improved refereeing standards are expected to elevate the league to new heights.

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Akwa United wonderkid nominated for NPFL Player and Rookie of the Season

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Akwa United wonderkid nominated for NPFL Player and Rookie of the Season

Akwa United’s teenage sensation, Sani Suleiman, has garnered significant recognition with nominations for two prestigious awards at the League Bloggers Awards (LBA).

The 17-year-old winger is in contention for both the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Player of the Season and Rookie of the Season awards.

Suleiman’s impressive performances in the latter half of the season, during which he scored 11 goals in 19 appearances, have made him a strong contender for the Player of the Season award. He faces tough competition from Enyimba’s Chijioke Mbaoma and Remo Stars’ Sodiq Ismail.

Suleiman is the clear favorite in the Rookie of the Season category due to his exceptional debut in the NPFL. However, he must outshine Enyimba’s Daniel Daga and Remo Stars’ Ahmed Akinyele to secure the award.

Suleiman’s outstanding form has also earned him a spot in the NPFL Team of the Season, alongside Remo Stars’ Sikiru Alimi and Enyimba’s Chijioke Mbaoma.

The LBA Gala 2024, set to take place in Lagos on July 19, will celebrate Suleiman’s hard work and dedication to the sport. His performances have caught the eye of former Nigeria coach Finidi George, who considered including him in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic in June 2024.

Suleiman’s rapid rise is a promising development for Nigerian football. His nominations are well-deserved and reflect his immense talent. Looking ahead, Suleiman aims to continue impressing and solidifying his place in the NPFL.

With his speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability, Suleiman has all the attributes to become a top player in the NPFL.

Sani Suleiman’s nominations for the NPFL Player and Rookie of the Season awards are a testament to his dedication and hard work. His remarkable performances have drawn attention from coaches and fans alike, and he is poised to continue making a significant impact in the years to come.

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Former Super Eagles Coach Jose Peseiro Set to Lead Kuwaiti National Team

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Former Super Eagles Coach Jose Peseiro Set to Lead Kuwaiti National Team

Former Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro, is reportedly the top candidate to become the head coach of the Kuwaiti national team, according to the Arab Times.

The Kuwait Football Association is eager to appoint Peseiro to lead the Blue Wave in the critical qualifying round for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.

Peseiro, who stepped down as the Super Eagles head coach at the end of February, has been linked with a potential return to his former role. However, he is also attracting interest from Saudi club Al Riyadh.

The 63-year-old coach brings a wealth of experience, having previously managed national teams like Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. He notably led the Super Eagles to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up.

Kuwait finds itself in Group B of the World Cup qualifiers, competing against South Korea, Oman, Iraq, Palestine, and Jordan. Peseiro’s experience and strategic acumen would be a significant asset for the Blue Wave as they strive for World Cup qualification.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has yet to appoint a new coach for the Super Eagles following Peseiro’s departure several months ago. This delay has caused growing impatience among fans, who are eager for the team to be adequately prepared for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Super Eagles supporters have voiced their concerns over the prolonged search for a new coach, with some criticizing the NFF for not making a swift decision. However, others believe the NFF is being prudent, taking their time to find the right candidate to lead the team forward.

This situation underscores the challenges the NFF faces in selecting a suitable replacement for Peseiro, who performed admirably during his tenure. The new coach will have significant expectations to meet, but with the right choice, the Super Eagles can continue to achieve great success.

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