Six from FC Barcelona among The Best nominees

FC Barcelona is again going to be well-represented at FIFA's The Best awards, with members of both the men's and women's teams among the nominees in different categories, and there could still be room for more when they announce the Teams of the Year.

Already conformed as potential winners are Robert Lewandowski, Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Keira Walsh, Sandra Paños and Salma Paralluelo. 

They're divided between four different categories. Lewandowski is one of the 14 players short-listed to be men's player of the year, while any of Aitana, Alexia and Keira could win the women's prize. Paños is one of the top female goalkeepers and Salma Paralluelo is ip for goal of the year, the Puskas Award.

Curiously though, Salma's goal was the one she scored against FC Barcelona when playing for Villarreal at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Team of the year from Feb 6

FIFA will also be naming a team of the year, beginning on February 6 with the 23 nominees in the men's and women's categories. The 11 finalists will be named on the big day of the ceremony, and hopefully there will be a considerable blaugrana presence in the selection.

Lewandowski and Alexia, previous winners

The 2021 The Best awards were won by Robert Lewandowski (then of Bayern) and Alexia Putellas. They are both in the running this time again. It would be the second win for Alexia and the third for Lewandowski, who also picked up the trophy in 2020.