4 Arab players competing for the title of the best in the world

On Thursday, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced the final lists of nominees for the “Best 2025” awards, where the nominations witnessed the presence of illustrious names from Arab football, led by Egyptian Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) and Saudi Salem Al-Dosari (Al-Hilal), in addition to Moroccans Ashraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) and Yassine Bounou (Al-Hilal).

Spanish internationals Lamine Yamal and Pedri, Barcelona players, along with Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid striker, emerged among eleven candidates for the “Best” award given by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to the best player.

FIFA stated in a statement issued that the three will not be the only representatives of the Spanish League, as Barcelona’s Brazilian striker Rafinha is also competing for the award.

Among the candidates also stands out is French striker Ousmane Dembélé, a player for Paris Saint-Germain, who won the Ballon d’Or last September, ahead of Spaniard Lamine Yamal and his Portuguese colleague Vitinha, who is also nominated for the “Best” award.

The list of candidates is completed by the Portuguese Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), the Englishman Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), and the Englishman Cole Palmer (Chelsea).

Best Goalkeeper Award

Spanish international David Raya, Arsenal’s goalkeeper, is competing with Belgian Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) and Polish Wojciech Szczesny (Barcelona) for the best goalkeeper award.

Also competing for the award are Brazilian Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Argentine Emiliano “Depo” Martinez (Aston Villa), Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain/Manchester City), German Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), and Swiss Yann Sommer (Inter Milan).

Best Coach Award

In the Best Coach category, Spaniard Luis Enrique Martinez, winner of the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, competes for the award with German Hansi Flick, Barcelona coach, and Spaniard Mikel Arteta, Arsenal coach.

Spaniard Roberto Martinez, coach of the Portuguese national team, is also competing for the award. The Dutchman Arne Slot, Liverpool coach; Italian Enzo Maresca (Chelsea); And Mexican national team coach Javier Aguirre, who led “El Tri Color” to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Best fan award

Finally, the late legendary fan Manolo El del Pombo, who traveled the world for decades supporting the Spanish national team, was nominated for the FIFA Best Fan Award, along with fans of the Iraqi club Zakho.

The list is completed by Argentine Alejandro Ciganotto, a fan of Racing Club de Avellaneda, who traveled from Argentina to Rio de Janeiro to attend the Copa Libertadores semi-final between his team and the Brazilian club Flamengo.