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Xtra Time Web Desk : FIFA on Friday named the three finalists for the Men's Best Player award in Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Mohamed Salah. The prestigious award will be given virtually from FIFA Headquarters in Zurich on January 17 alongside Best Women's player, Best Men's Goalkeeper and Best Coach awards.

Lionel Messi, who won the Ballon d'Or award in 2021 is undoubtedly the favourite to win the FIFA Best Men's Player award, although Bayern Munich's star striker Robert Lewandowski is not too far behind. The Polish target man who won France Football's Best Striker award in 2021 is also tipped by many experts around the world to win the award due to his stupendous form in club football over the last couple of years.

The third contender in Mohamed Salah though is a little less favourite than the other two, also has been in tremendous form over the last year or so in the Premier League. Apart from the Best Men's player award, shot stoppers Gianluigi Donnarumma, Edouard Mendy and Manuel Neuer have been nominated for Best Goalkeeper award alongside Pep Guardiola, Roberto Mancini and Thomas Tuchel for the Best Coach award.

Also, Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas alongside Jennifer Hermoso and Sam Kerr are the three nominees for Best Women's Player award.