World football’s top players and managers of 2021 were recognized at The Best FIFA Football Awards show Monday. Below, theScore runs down the winners of the various trophies.
Best Men’s Player
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich, Poland national team)
He may have missed out on the Ballon d’Or in contentious fashion, but Lewandowski owns FIFA’s top individual accolade. The Bayern Munich striker captured The Best FIFA Men’s Player award for the second successive year, beating out Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah. The prolific Lewandowski broke multiple Bundesliga scoring records in 2021, eclipsing the legendary Gerd Muller for goals in both a single campaign and a calendar year.
Best Women’s Player
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain national team)
Putellas has now won every imaginable accolade. She’s UEFA’s women’s midfielder of the year and player of the year, the reigning women’s Ballon d’Or winner, and now, the Best FIFA Women’s Player. It’s richly deserved, too. The 27-year-old recorded 27 goals and 19 assists for Barcelona in 2020-21, leading them to the women’s La Liga and Champions League titles. Putellas’ most impressive feat came in September when she completed a hat-trick in just four minutes.
Puskas Award winner
Erik Lamela – Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal (March 14, 2021)
Erik Lamela wins the 2021 Puskas Award! ?pic.twitter.com/jcBrM0enXz
— GOAL (@goal) January 17, 2022
Lamela stunned the world with an outrageous rabona in the north London derby – his second such feat for Tottenham Hotspur. Already named the goal of the season in the Premier League, the Argentine’s spontaneous strike has now rightly received global recognition.
Best Men’s Coach
Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea)
Tuchel masterminded a complete turnaround at Chelsea, taking the Blues from 10th in the Premier League to the summit of European football within five months of his appointment last January. The German tactician won plaudits for the way he organized Chelsea, and his defense-first tactics paid dividends in the Champions League final as the west London side beat Manchester City to claim its second European Cup.
Best Women’s Coach
Emma Hayes (Chelsea)
A sweep of the coaching prizes for Chelsea. Hayes was speechless Monday when she was named this year’s winner. The longtime Chelsea coach shouldn’t have been, though, after leading her side to a domestic treble in 2020-21. In capturing the Women’s Super League, FA Cup, and League Cup crowns, the 45-year-old tactician became the first Chelsea manager to win all three domestic titles in the same season.
Best Men’s Goalkeeper
Edouard Mendy (Chelsea, Senegal national team)
Mendy has been vital to Chelsea’s success since joining the club in 2020, solidifying what had been a problematic position for the Blues. The Senegalese shot-stopper backstopped Chelsea to the Champions League title in 2021 and finished the calendar year with more clean sheets (29) than goals conceded (27). After his shocking omission from the Ballon d’Or shortlist, the 29-year-old’s spectacular season has finally garnered the respect it deserves.
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Masashi Hara / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Christiane Endler (Lyon, Chile national team)
After finishing second in each of the last two years – to Sari van Veenendaal in 2019 and Sarah Bouhaddi in 2020 – Endler finally landed the award on her third try. The Chilean netminder backstopped Paris Saint-Germain to the Division 1 Feminine title last season, posting 19 clean sheets while allowing just four goals over the entire campaign.
Men’s FIFA FIFPro World11
Gianluigi Donnarumma; David Alaba, Leonardo Bonucci, Ruben Dias; N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Kevin De Bruyne; Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi
? THIS is the 2021 Men’s FIFA FIFPRO #World11
By the players, for the players.@FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/i0dYe7KUwI
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) January 17, 2022
Women’s FIFA FIFPro World11
Christiane Endler; Lucy Bronze, Wendie Renard, Millie Bright, Magdalena Eriksson; Estefania Banini, Carli Lloyd, Barbara Bonansea; Vivianne Miedema, Marta, Alex Morgan
? THIS is the 2021 Women’s FIFA FIFPRO #World11
By the players, for the players.@FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/710e5SqqOK
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) January 17, 2022
FIFA Fair Play Award
Denmark national team, medics, and coaching staff
This was never in doubt. The Danish national team, medics, and coaching staff were collectively bestowed the Fair Play Award in recognition of their heroic, life-saving efforts when Christian Eriksen went into cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. Everyone involved – from captain Simon Kjaer to team doctor Morten Boesen – helped resuscitate the star midfielder, avoiding a potentially devastating outcome after Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s opening match at the tournament.
With the January transfer window open, players on expiring contracts are able to negotiate with any club. There has arguably never been a more loaded crop of impending free agents, with some of football’s biggest names entering the final six months of their respective deals. “Free” may be a misnomer – agent fees and signing bonuses have never been so grand – but the absence of a transfer fee makes these 30 stars hugely desirable. Below, we rank the best players who will be out of contract this summer.
Note: Lorenzo Insigne has reportedly signed a contract with Toronto FC.
Club: Manchester United | Age: 29 | Position: Attacking midfielder
Lingard proved in his loan spell at West Ham United he’s still more than capable of contributing at the top level. Manchester United clearly have no intention of utilizing him, but another club – maybe the Hammers – surely will.
29. Hugo Lloris ??
Club: Tottenham Hotspur | Age: 35 | Position: Goalkeeper
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte wants the club captain to remain in north London and recently said the veteran netminder “loves” Spurs. Is that fondness enough for him to sign a new deal?
28. Andrea Belotti ??
Quality Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Club: Torino | Age: 28 | Position: Striker
Somehow, Belotti is still at Torino despite rumors about a potential transfer swirling for years. The Italian striker will soon be free to decide his own future, and that likely won’t involve a return to the Granata.
27. Cesar Azpilicueta ??
Club: Chelsea | Age: 32 | Position: Full-back
It’s a little strange considering he’s the captain, but talk over Azpilicueta’s status has been muted. A return to Spain could be in the cards, especially if other high-profile defenders renew their deals with Chelsea.
26. James Tarkowski ?gbeng
Club: Burnley | Age: 29 | Position: Center-back
Tarkowski’s presence at the heart of Burnley’s defense has been a given for some time – he’s started over 30 matches in each of the last four seasons – but that union is in its final stages, with Newcastle United a likely destination.
Witsel has been a midfield mainstay since arriving at Borussia Dortmund in 2018, but an Achilles rupture last year was a turning point. The Belgian veteran has struggled since his return and is unlikely to be retained.
24. Sardar Azmoun ??
Club: Zenit St. Petersburg | Age: 27 | Position: Forward
Azmoun has never made a senior appearance for a club outside of Russia. That’s about to change. The Iranian international, a consistent scorer for Zenit, is the subject of interest from England and France.
23. Divock Origi ??
Club: Liverpool | Age: 26 | Position: Forward
Can Origi, now entering the prime years of his career, be a bonafide scoring option if given consistent minutes? He’s delivered big goals for Liverpool, but his ability to extrapolate that will decide whether a top club makes a move.
22. Luka Modric ??
Quality Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Club: Real Madrid | Age: 36 | Position: Midfielder
Modric isn’t the all-conquering midfield force of his Ballon d’Or days, but he continues to be relied upon by Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid. Another one-year contract extension seems the likeliest endgame for the Croatian icon.
21. Ivan Perisic ??
Club: Inter Milan | Age: 32 | Position: Winger/wing-back
Perisic has been a key contributor for the Serie A leaders this season. There’s a mutual desire to ink a new contract, but time’s running out. The prospect of one final payday elsewhere could push the Croatian toward the exit.
20. Jesus Corona ??
Club: FC Porto | Age: 28 | Position: Right-back/wide midfielder/forward
There’s a reason “Tecatito“ has made over 200 appearances for Porto – the Mexican’s adaptability is exemplary. That kind of positional versatility is attractive to any club, especially when there’s no transfer fee involved.
19. Alessio Romagnoli ??
Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Club: AC Milan | Age: 26 | Position: Center-back
Depending on who you believe, AC Milan captain Romagnoli is either close to a contract renewal, looking for a fresh start elsewhere in the summer, or being used as bait in a potential January swap. Isn’t the transfer window great?
18. Andre Onana ??
Club: Ajax | Age: 25 | Position: Goalkeeper
Having served a ninth-month doping ban that threatened to derail his hugely promising career, Onana is back and looking for a fresh start. All signs suggest the Cameroonian shot-stopper is on the verge of joining Inter.
Cuadrado’s reinvention as a flying full-back has added longevity to his career, and Juventus are working to keep the Colombian. A contract extension is believed to be close, but things can change quickly in the window.
16. Alexandre Lacazette ??
Stuart MacFarlane / Arsenal FC / Getty
Club: Arsenal | Age: 30 | Position: Striker
Similar to other players in his age bracket, Lacazette is looking for one more long-term contract. Arsenal appear unwilling to meet that demand, though things could change if the disgruntled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departs.
Ginter announced last week he won’t renew his deal with Gladbach, adding he’s “decided to follow another path” in his career. It certainly sounds like the German international has already mapped out his next move.
Kamara has been linked with a handful of Premier League clubs in recent weeks. Everybody from Manchester United to nouveau riche Newcastle are in the running for the young, versatile Frenchman.
13. Andreas Christensen ??
Soccrates Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Club: Chelsea | Age: 25 | Position: Center-back
Teammate Antonio Rudiger is the center-back getting more Bosman love, but at three years his junior, Christensen presents a rare opportunity for a club looking to sign a potential defensive anchor on a free transfer.
It’s going to be a busy summer for Borussia Monchengladbach. In addition to Ginter, the club looks destined to lose Zakaria, the burgeoning Swiss international who is rapidly developing into a dominant all-around midfielder.
11. Noussair Mazraoui ??
Club: Ajax | Age: 24 | Position: Right-back
An exceptional dribbler who provides verve from his (nominally) defensive position, Mazraoui would be a key attacking cog at any club. With Mino Raiola as his agent, negotiations – either with Ajax or elsewhere – will be public.
10. Angel Di Maria ??
FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Getty
Club: Paris Saint-Germain | Age: 33 | Position: Winger
Di Maria’s expiring deal includes an option to extend for an additional year if both the club and player are in agreement. The Argentine has said his family is “very happy” in Paris – naturally – which suggests the option will be triggered.
9. Ousmane Dembele ??
Club: Barcelona | Age: 24 | Position: Winger
Barcelona manager Xavi wants Dembele to re-sign on reduced terms to help the debt-ridden club register new players. It’s not the Frenchman’s job to bail the club out of this mess, though, so that seems like a tough sell.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic ??
Club: AC Milan | Age: 40 | Position: Striker
The ageless wonder. Injuries are starting to hamper the veteran, but when he’s on the pitch, he finds the net; Ibrahimovic has delivered 0.89 goals per 90 minutes this season, third-best in Serie A. No wonder Milan want to keep him.
7. Marcelo Brozovic ??
Marco Canoniero / LightRocket / Getty
Club: Inter Milan | Age: 29 | Position: Midfielder
Inter are working hard to convince their velvety Croatian that he should renew, but they can’t wait around forever while he makes a decision. Brozovic, who dictates the tempo in midfield, would be a significant loss if he departs.
Defenders don’t come more imposing than Sule, but he’s no lead-footed brute; the German is consistently clocked as one of the club’s fastest players each year. That enticing combination has suitors ready to pounce.
5. Franck Kessie ??
Club: AC Milan | Age: 25 | Position: Midfielder
Paolo Maldini has a lot on his plate right now. AC Milan have been prominently featured on this list, and that’s before taking into account the situation with Kessie, who has been a cornerstone of the club’s recent revival.
4. Paulo Dybala ??
Nicolò Campo / LightRocket / Getty
Club: Juventus | Age: 28 | Position: Forward
A bureaucratic issue involving Dybala’s agent is apparently the only thing holding up an official announcement of his extension with Juve. Until he puts pen to paper, though, fans of the Old Lady will harbor some nerves.
3. Paul Pogba ??
Club: Manchester United | Age: 28 | Position: Midfielder
It’s easy to forget since he’s been out with injury for two months, but Pogba was on an absolute tear earlier this season, reminding detractors of his game-breaking skill and creativity. When he’s at his best, few can match it.
2. Antonio Rudiger ??
Club: Chelsea | Age: 28 | Position: Center-back
Everyone with the financial means wants a piece of Rudiger. Contract negotiations with Chelsea are at an impasse, and that has Real Madrid, among several others, on high alert.
1. Kylian Mbappe ??
Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Club: Paris Saint-Germain | Age: 23 | Position: Forward
There has never been a more desirable free agent in football history than Mbappe. Not even Lionel Messi. If the summer’s crown jewel leaves PSG – as is widely expected – it would alter the sport’s landscape for the next decade.
Christian Eriksen said Tuesday he’s aiming to rejoin Denmark’s national team and play at the 2022 World Cup despite only recently recovering from cardiac arrest.
“My goal is to play in the World Cup in Qatar,” Eriksen told Danish TV station DR1. “I want to play. That’s been my mindset all along. It’s a goal, it’s a dream. Whether I’ll be picked is another thing. But it’s my dream to come back.”
Eriksen said he had “died for five minutes” after falling face-first onto the turf midway through his country’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland on June 12. Team medics rushed to his side to administer life-saving CPR while his teammates formed a human shield around him.
Doctors fitted Eriksen with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or type of pacemaker, during his week-long stay at a local hospital.
“I’m sure I can come back because I don’t feel any different,” the 29-year-old added. “Physically, I’m back in top shape. … I’m just going to play football and prove that I’m back at the same level.”
Despite recovering, Eriksen terminated his contract with Inter Milan because Italy forbids anyone with an implantable device from playing professionally. However, rules are different in other countries, and he has already resumed training at Danish side Odense Boldklub, where he began his career.
Eriksen hasn’t played in an official match since the incident.
Denmark qualified for the 2022 World Cup in his absence, winning UEFA qualifying Group F with a 9-1 record. The tournament begins Nov. 21.
“My dream is to rejoin the national team and play at Parken again and prove that it was a one-timer and that it won’t happen again,” Eriksen added.
The NFL’s penultimate regular-season Sunday of the 2021 campaign ended with 11 of its 14 playoff spots filled. Six of its eight divisions have champions. And one of its two top seeds is clinched. The day started with the Bengals and Titans clinching the AFC North and AFC South, respectively. It ended with the Packers securing the NFC’s top seed with a rampage over the Vikings; and as a result, the Eagles clinched one of the NFC’s wild-card spots. (Earlier on Sunday, the Bills and Patriots also secured playoff berths.)
On Monday, the Steelers kept their playoff hopes alive with a win against the Browns. That means seven teams are still vying for three spots in the playoff picture as we head toward Week 18. What follows is everything we know about what happened in Week 17 and what could happen in the coming week.
Note: All percentage chances to make the playoffs, clinch a division title or secure the conference No. 1 seed are via ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI).
Jump to: AFC | NFC Clinching scenarios
AFC playoff standings
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: Clinched Chances to earn No. 1 seed: 79% Remaining schedule: at Texans
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: Clinched Chances to earn No. 1 seed: 17% Current projected first-round matchup: vs. Chargers Remaining schedule: at Broncos
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: Clinched Chances to earn No. 1 seed: 4% Current projected first-round matchup: vs. Colts Remaining schedule: at Browns
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: 95% Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Eliminated Current projected first-round matchup: vs. Patriots Remaining schedule: vs. Jets
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: 5% Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Current projected first-round matchup: at Bills Remaining schedule: at Dolphins
Chances to make playoffs: 81% Chances to win division: Eliminated Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Eliminated Current projected first-round matchup: at Bengals Remaining schedule: at Jaguars
Chances to make playoffs: 58% Chances to win division: Eliminated Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Eliminated Current projected first-round matchup: at Chiefs Remaining schedule: at Raiders
In the AFC hunt
Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) Chances to make playoffs: 50%
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) Chances to make playoffs: 8%
Baltimore Ravens (8-8) Chances to make playoffs: 4%
NFC playoff standings
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: Clinched Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Clinched Remaining schedule: at Lions
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: 77% Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Eliminated Current projected first-round matchup: vs. Eagles Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: Clinched Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Eliminated Current projected first-round matchup: vs. 49ers Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: Clinched Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Eliminated Current projected first-round matchup: vs. Cardinals Remaining schedule: at Eagles
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: 23% Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Eliminated Current projected first-round matchup: at Cowboys Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks
Chances to make playoffs: 60% Chances to win division: Eliminated Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Eliminated Current projected first-round matchup: at Buccaneers Remaining schedule: at Rams
Chances to make playoffs: Clinched Chances to win division: Eliminated Chances to earn No. 1 seed: Eliminated Current projected first-round matchup: at Rams Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys
In the NFC hunt
New Orleans Saints (8-8) Chances to make playoffs: 40%
Clinching scenarios and intriguing playoff races
The Packers have clinched the NFC’s top seed for the second consecutive season, and their next meaningful game will be a divisional-round matchup to be determined on the weekend of Jan. 22-23.
The Packers’ victory allowed the Eagles to clinch a playoff spot, capping a run in which Philadelphia has won six of seven games. Who had Nick Sirianni as the first rookie coach this season to lock in a trip to the playoffs?
The Chiefs’ loss to the Bengals means that the AFC’s eventual No. 1 seed will have at least five defeats, tied for the most for the AFC’s top team since the NFL began the seeding process in 1975. The most recent such team with five losses was the 2002 Raiders, who advanced to Super Bowl XXXVII.
The Bengals won the AFC North for the first time since 2015, thanks to their 34-31 victory over the Chiefs. But will history remember that it took flags on two consecutive fourth-down plays at the goal line to keep the Bengals’ winning drive alive? The Bengals can clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC in Week 18 with a win over the Browns and losses by the Titans, Chiefs and Patriots or a win and a Bills win plus losses by the Titans and Chiefs.
The Titans clinched a playoff berth and the AFC South with a victory over the Dolphins. At some point, we need to take a step back and recognize what the Titans have done under coach Mike Vrabel. After making the playoffs once in the nine years before he arrived in 2018, they have now had four consecutive winning seasons, three consecutive trips to the playoffs and now two consecutive division titles. The Titans can clinch the top seed in Week 18 with (A) a win at Houston, (B) losses by the Chiefs, Bengals and Patriots or (C) losses by the Chiefs and Bengals combined with a win by the Bills.
2 Related
The Titans’ win eliminated the Colts’ chance to win the AFC South. The Colts could have clinched a playoff spot with a victory over Las Vegas, but they lost 23-20. The Colts can clinch a playoff spot with (A) a win at the Jaguars, (B) losses by the Ravens and Chargers or (C) losses by the Chargers and Steelers, and a Dolphins win.
The Bills clinched a playoff berth, thanks to their 29-15 victory over the Falcons along with the Ravens’ loss to the Rams. That’s three consecutive trips to the postseason for the Bills under coach Sean McDermott. They’ll clinch the AFC East for the second consecutive year if they beat the Jets at home in Week 18.
The Patriots clinched a playoff berth after beating the Jaguars 50-10 and getting a 34-3 loss from the Dolphins against the Titans. New England could still clinch the AFC East with a Week 18 victory at the Dolphins and a Bills loss. To clinch home-field advantage as the No. 1 seed, the Patriots would need a Week 18 win and losses by the Bills, Titans and Chiefs.
The Chargers’ win over the Broncos eliminated the Broncos, Dolphins and Browns from playoff contention. More importantly for the Chargers: It set up a win-and-in situation for their Week 18 game at the Raiders. That game also will be a win-and-in scenario for the Raiders, who have won three consecutive games to get back into the race. The Raiders also can get in with a Colts loss.
The Saints avoided playoff elimination by defeating the Panthers. They can clinch a playoff berth with a win at the Falcons combined with a loss by the 49ers.
The 49ers didn’t clinch a playoff spot on Sunday, but they can do it in Week 18 with a win at the Rams or a loss by the Saints.
The Rams weren’t able to clinch the NFC West on Sunday, thanks to the Cardinals’ win, but Los Angeles can do it with a Week 18 win over the 49ers or a Cardinals loss. The Cardinals can clinch the NFC West with a win over the Seahawks and a Rams loss. But Arizona can’t get to the No. 1 seed.
The Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention, marking the first time in coach Mike Zimmer’s eight-year tenure when they have missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Washington also was eliminated from playoff contention, but given the Week 1 loss of starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and its late-season COVID-19 outbreak, it’s frankly amazing that this team was still in the race in Week 17. The Falcons were the third NFC team eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday with their loss to the Bills. And as mentioned, the Broncos, Dolphins and Browns were eliminated in the AFC.
The Steelers’ victory Monday night was Step 1 in their multipronged path to a playoff spot. Now they’ll need to win at Baltimore in Week 18, while also getting a loss from the Colts. And because tiebreakers are funky, they need the Chargers-Raiders game to not end in a tie. (It doesn’t matter who wins.)
Despite losing five consecutive games, the Ravens aren’t out of it yet. To get into the playoffs, they will need to beat the Steelers in Week 18 and get losses by the Colts, Browns, Chargers and Dolphins.
