Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has been nominated for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award.
The England international joined the Gunners on a club-record deal from West Ham United this summer and he has made a huge impression in his first five appearances.
Rice has been a consistent performer from the centre of the park for the club, and he recently scored the match winner against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.
The 24-year-old should only get better with the Gunners in future, and we are not surprised that he has been shortlisted by FIFA for The Best Men’s Player award.
Rice was a key player for the Hammers for several years and last campaign, he captained them to their first major trophy in 40 years by winning the Conference League.
The midfielder was influential in the club’s run to the final where they beat Fiorentina by a 2-1 scoreline. Rice was named the Conference League Player of the Season.
Aside from Rice, FIFA have shortlisted 11 more candidates with the majority from Manchester City.
In our view, Erling Braut Haaland and Lionel Messi are the front-runners for the accolade.
Haaland was exceptional during his debut season for Manchester City. He scored 52 goals from 53 outings en route to them winning the Premier League, Champions League and the FA Cup.
Messi, on the other hand, won the league title with Paris Saint-Germain, but his biggest feat was guiding Argentina to the World Cup title with a string of outstanding performances in Qatar.
The South American nation won the global tournament for the first time since 1986. Messi scored twice in the World Cup final against France where they eventually won on penalties.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner should be the clear favourite for The Best Men’s Player award.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
