Salah, Mane leads FIFA Best Shortlist

The duo of Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Sadio Mane of Senegal have been shortlisted by the World Governing body (FIFA) for the 2019 World’s best player.

The list was published today by FIFA, and the winner will be announced in a Gala on September 23rd in Milan, Italy.

Salah won the UEFA Champions League for Liverpool and had a decent season with the Reds where the team finished second in the Premier League behind Manchester City.

Also, Mane was part of Liverpool squad that won the UEFA Champions League and narrowly lost the Final of the Africa Cup of Nation to Algeria.

Perennial rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have also been included with the Argentine favoured to win this time around following a brilliant season with Barcelona and Argentina.

The 32-year-old led Barca to a league title and also won the European golden shoe. On the international scene, he helped Argentina secure a Bronze medal at the Copa America.

Arch-rival, Cristiano Ronaldo also had a brilliant season of his own as he won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal, and then the domestic league and the Italian Super Cup with Juventus.

Other nominees include Frenkie de Jong who won the domestic league and cup double with Ajax in his native country; while former teammate Matthijs de Ligt was also chosen as a candidate.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Real Madrid star Eden Hazard, Paris Saint Germain golden boy Kylian Mbappe and Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk completed the nomination list.