FIFA Best Men’s Player 2021: Cristiano Ronaldo and Kevin De Bruyne nominated for prestigious award

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo have been nominated for the FIFA Best Men’s Footballer Award for 2021.

The men’s awards are judged for their achievements between October 8, 2020 and August 7, 2021, when Ronaldo was still a Juventus player.

The Portuguese forward has since been crowned Player of the Month for September in the Premier League on his return to United and has broken the international goal-scoring record.

Meanwhile, in the blue half of Manchester, De Bruyne has enjoyed a stellar calendar year.

In 2021, the Belgian midfielder helped City defeat Tottenham Hotspur to lift the Carabao Cup and De Bruyne was crowned a Premier League champion for the third time as the Blues romped home to the title in May.

Due to injury this season, De Bruyne has only made 14 appearances in all competitions, registering three goals and one assist.

On an international level, De Bruyne’s Belgium, managed by Roberto Martinez, were knocked out of Euro 2020 by eventual winners Italy.

De Bruyne’s manager Pep Guardiola is also up for the Best Men’s coach award.

Both Ronaldo and De Bruyne face a tough task, as they’re up against the likes of Lionel Messi, N’Golo Kante and Mohamed Salah.

Fan voting closes on 10 December 2021, with the awards being announced next year in a ceremony on 17 January 2022.