Virgil van Dijk, Thiago, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mave have all been nominated for the The Best FIFA Men’s Player award, it has been confirmed.
🏆 Nominees: #TheBest FIFA Men's Player
🇪🇸 Thiago Alcântara
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo
🇧🇪 Kevin De Bruyne
🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski
🇸🇳 Sadio Mane
🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappe
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi
🇧🇷 Neymar
🇪🇸 Sergio Ramos
🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah
🇳🇱 Virgil van Dijkℹ️🗳️ https://t.co/fqPa5jbedh pic.twitter.com/nLcUjmdQrd
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) November 25, 2020
The Reds quartet have all enjoyed a sensational 2020, with accolades and silverware coming their way.
Van Dijk once again outlined his reputation as the world’s best centre-back, while Salah and Mane’s world-class attacking talent played a huge role in Liverpool finally ending the 30-year wait for a league title.
Meanwhile, Thiago was magnificent for Bayern Munich as they won the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal, prior to joining the Reds in the summer transfer window.
The likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski are also on the 12-man shortlist.
Read Liverpool Verdict
For Liverpool to have a third of the representatives speaks volumes about what Jurgen Klopp has achieved at Anfield.
There was a time when having just one player in such lists felt special – Steven Gerrard, invariably – but the Reds are now a true force in the European game.
It is impossible to argue with Van Dijk, Thiago, Salah and Mane’s inclusions, with the foursome among the best players in the world in their position.
I don’t think any of them will take home the eventual prize – Lewandowski looks the favourite, following an incredible year with Bayern – but it is so pleasing to see their brilliance recognised.
