FIFA has announced the nominees for the prestigious 2024 Best FIFA Men’s Coach award, showcasing some of the finest managerial talents in global football.

The winner will be determined by a diverse panel that includes current coaches and captains of men’s national teams, one journalist from each FIFA-recognized territory, and global football fans.

Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, the reigning titleholder of the award, has been shortlisted again following another stellar season.

The Catalan tactician led City to their fourth consecutive Premier League triumph in 2024, making history as the first English top-flight team to achieve this milestone.

Also making the cut is Carlo Ancelotti, the experienced Real Madrid manager, whose leadership earned Los Blancos both the La Liga title and the Champions League trophy. Ancelotti’s achievements have also brought recognition to his players, with several nominated for individual honours.

Xabi Alonso, the celebrated coach of Bayer Leverkusen, has been nominated after an exceptional 2023/24 campaign. Under his guidance, Leverkusen clinched the Bundesliga title and maintained an extraordinary 51-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.

The Spaniard also secured a domestic cup victory, though his team narrowly missed out on Europa League glory, falling in the final.

On the international front, Luis de la Fuente receives a nod for his remarkable success with Spain, guiding them to victory at Euro 2024.

Meanwhile, Lionel Scaloni is recognized for leading Argentina to triumph in the Copa America, further solidifying his reputation on the world stage.

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach Award celebrates the immense contributions of these tacticians to the sport, with fans eagerly awaiting the final announcement at the Best Awards ceremony.

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2024 nominees

• Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
• Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen)
• Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)
• Luis de la Fuente (Spain)
• Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)

🚨 OFFICIAL: The Best FIFA Men’s Coach 2024 nominees!

• CARLO ANCELOTTI
• Lionel Scaloni
• Luis de la Fuente
• Pep Guardiola
• Xabi Alonso pic.twitter.com/lwVvDiynwA

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) November 28, 2024

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Angel Di Maria has shed light on why Lionel Messi’s absence from Argentina’s March camp could actually be a blessing in disguise.

The World Cup-winning Argentina captain had to withdraw from the national team for the international friendlies in March due to an injury sustained during Inter Miami’s CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Nashville earlier this month.

Di Maria, who shares a close bond with Messi, has suggested that Messi’s injury could benefit Argentina, encouraging the squad to maintain composure as they prepare for their title defense at the 2024 Copa America later this year.

Speaking to D Sports, the Benfica star said: “Leo is always missed. Having the best in history, being able to train and play with him is the best. It’s a shame that this [injury] happened to him now, but we have to be calm. It’s better that it happened now and he is fine for the Copa America.”

Following their 3-0 victory against El Salvador in their friendly match, La Albiceleste will play Costa Rica on Tuesday. After that, Argentina will turn their attention to the Copa America in the US, where they are scheduled to begin their championship defense on June 20.

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Argentina’s manager, Lionel Scaloni, had expressed his intention to step down last month, but following the Copa America draw, he provided an update.

The Argentina manager has confirmed that he has discussed his future with Lionel Messi in reaction to rumors that he was unhappy with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner following his recent performances in Brazil.

According to The Athletic, Scaloni and his coaching staff were “agitated” that Messi had not been in touch with them and that Messi’s actions could have contributed to the manager’s comments at his post-game news conference.

Talking ahead of the Copa America 2024 group stage draw [via @AlbicelesteTalk on X], Scaloni said: “I am here because I am still the coach, but I’m still thinking about my decision. I said after the Brazil game that it is a moment to think and I am still in that instance. I am calmly thinking, about how everything goes, whether to restart or what. The players are doing very well and they need a coach with all the desire and energy, at their level.

“The relationship with president Tapia has always been perfect. It’s all exclusively mine and the coaching staff, we have to think about the best for the National Team. I spoke to Messi after the Brazil game, he is the captain and I have a great relationship with him. I also spoke with Tapia on good terms as always.”

Following Argentina’s elimination from the 2018 World Cup in the Round of 16, Jorge Sampaoli was fired, and Scaloni assumed leadership. After the Albiceleste finished third in the 2019 Copa America, he was then hired as the team’s full-time coach.

The Argentine will undoubtedly lead the team in the Copa America in the United States the following year. After that, his future is still uncertain.

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Lionel Messi may find himself without the guidance of his World Cup-winning mentor, Lionel Scaloni, as the Argentina boss has hinted at a surprising resignation.

This revelation comes on the heels of Scaloni orchestrating a notable triumph over arch-rivals Brazil in World Cup qualifying, steering his team to a hard-fought 1-0 victory in challenging circumstances.

The match faced significant delays owing to police violence against Albiceleste supporters, creating a tense atmosphere. Despite the adversity, a determined battle on the pitch ensued, culminating in a Nicolas Otamendi goal that secured the win. However, after the final whistle, Scaloni appeared deep in thought, leaving uncertainty about his future with the team.

Speaking to reporters after the match, the World Cup-winning coach said, “I have to think a lot about what to do. It’s not goodbye but the bar is very high. This group demands you permanently. This team needs a coach who has all the energy possible and be well. “

The announcement is undeniably unexpected. Following the disappointment against Uruguay in their previous outing, Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity. They now lead their World Cup qualifying group by a significant eight-point margin over Brazil in sixth place. Any potential shift in Scaloni’s position raises uncertainties about Argentina’s defense of the Copa America and World Cup titles and could prompt questions about Lionel Messi’s future with the national team.

It’s crucial to note that, as of now, Scaloni’s statement doesn’t serve as a definitive resignation. The motive behind his reaction remains unclear, and it’s uncertain whether it directly relates to the off-the-scenes violence at Brazil’s Maracana stadium. Argentina’s supporters will undoubtedly hope that their World Cup-winning coach isn’t considering his departure anytime soon.

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The Uruguayan midfielder, ahead of his country’s upcoming clash with Argentina in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, openly admitted that he doesn’t know how to stop Lionel Messi. Uruguay is set to face Argentina in a crucial match, with Uruguay currently second in the Conmebol World Cup 2026 qualifying standings, trailing Argentina by five points.

Despite Messi’s recent absence from competitive matches, the Inter Miami and Argentina star remains a formidable force. Uruguay, led by Marcelo Bielsa, secured a notable victory against Brazil in their last World Cup qualifying fixture, adding to the anticipation of their upcoming clash with Argentina.

In a pre-match interview, Valverde said he doesn’t know how to slow down Messi and could never do so when both played in La Liga: “I don’t know how to stop Messi, I could never stop him. He is one of the best players in the world.”

The midfielder also praised Suarez, who earned his first Uruguay nod since the 2022 World Cup: “From the first moment Suarez has given me the values and rules to succeed in the national team. He is an idol for Uruguay.”

La Celeste is set to engage in two pivotal World Cup qualifying fixtures this week. Their first challenge involves a journey to face Argentina, who have maintained an undefeated record. This will be a crucial matchup, as Uruguay aims to make a statement and potentially narrow the gap in the standings.

Following the Argentina encounter, Uruguay will return home to host Bolivia, a team yet to secure a victory in the qualifying campaign. These back-to-back fixtures provide an opportunity for Uruguay to solidify their position in second place in the standings and strengthen their campaign for the 2026 World Cup.

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Former Real Madrid player Eden Hazard believes that Lionel Messi is the deserving recipient of the Ballon d’Or, primarily due to his pivotal role in guiding Argentina to a World Cup victory last year.

Messi is considered one of the top candidates for the Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded in a ceremony in Paris. Many have called for the 36-year-old Inter Miami star to be awarded the prestigious honor for his leadership in Argentina’s successful World Cup campaign in Qatar.

Despite the competition, with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe being mentioned as contenders, Messi’s contribution to Argentina’s World Cup triumph has strengthened his claim to a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or. Messi’s remarkable achievements in international and club football have solidified his status as one of the all-time greats.

Hazard claims Messi is the only one who deserves it this year, though, telling Telefoot: “It wouldn’t be logical to not give the Ballon d’Or to the best player in history in the year that he won the World Cup.”

Had the final in Qatar gone differently, however, the former Belgium and Chelsea attacker says PSG’s star forward would be the right winner, adding: “And if the World Cup changes for France, Kylian has the Golden Ball. Without a doubt, 100 per cent!”

At a ceremony in the French capital on Monday, the winner of the award will be revealed.

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According to Lionel Messi, the current Argentina squad is comparable to the Barcelona squads that dominated European football earlier in his career.

The 36-year-old, who has been dubbed the greatest player in football history, guided Argentina to a World Cup victory in 2022 and has carried his scoring prowess into their 2026 qualification campaign.

Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over Peru, thanks to a match-winning brace from Messi, let Argentina keep their perfect 2023 record intact and win all eight of their games so far.

Messi said in a post-game interview that although some of the Barcelona teams he played on were somewhat superior, this incarnation of Argentina might compete with them as “the best in history.”

Speaking to TyC Sports, Messi declared: “Comparing [this Argentina team] with Barcelona, which was the best in history, is a lot. But I think this team is very close.

“This team is incredible, every time they play they are very close to being the best in history. On a game level I think we have grown. After winning the World Cup we are confident, very loose, more united and firm. Hopefully we can continue to grow.”

Messi played with Barcelona for the majority of his career, but he is probably talking about the Pep Guardiola-led squads he was a part of.

Three La Liga championships and two Champions Leagues were among the 14 major awards Barcelona won during Guardiola’s four years in charge.

At Wembley Stadium, the second of two European Cups was won in 2011, defeating Manchester United 3-1. Sir Alex Ferguson praised the Barcelona club as the best team he faced as a manager after winning the league.

“They’re the best in Europe, no question about that. In my time as a manager, I would say they’re the best team we’ve faced. Everyone acknowledges that and I accept that. It’s not easy when you’ve been well beaten like that to think another way,” he said.

“No one has given us a hiding like that. It’s a great moment for them. They deserve it because they play the right way and enjoy their football.”

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Messi’s free-kick gave the World Cup champions a 1-0 victory in their first qualifying match for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Since joining Spurs in 2021, Romero has established himself as one of the top defenders in the Premier League, having lined up alongside Messi during their victory in Qatar late last year. Additionally, he has scored twice this season as a result of his team’s quick start under new manager Ange Postecoglou.

Messi was full of praise for his compatriot after the Ecuador win, saying: “For me, [Cristian Romero] is the best defender in the world right now. Amazing performance tonight, man of the match.”

Romero did come in for criticism towards the end of the 2022/23 season as Tottenham finished horribly under Antonio Conte, Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason.

In response to his teammate’s compliment, he acknowledged that it will live in his memory forever.

Romero said: “These are things that will remain in my memory for a lifetime. I didn’t expect it.

“You always try to take advantage of the opportunity that the coach gives, the opportunity that my teammates gave me on the first day, who received me with affection.

“They welcomed me. They trust me a lot and I try to give back the trust to all of them. I am very happy and very grateful to all of them.”

Romero is “fit to play” in Tuesday’s match against Bolivia, according to manager Lionel Scaloni, despite reports in Argentina that he suffered a minor injury to his right leg during the victory over Ecuador.

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According to ESPN Argentina, the winger may retire from international football after next year’s continental tournament.

He was in outstanding form at the World Cup in Qatar and a crucial part of the team that won the third world championship, ending a 36-year drought. He scored in the final match versus France and had a significant impact on the entire game.

Di Maria also scored in the 2021 Copa America final triumph against Brazil and again in the 2022 Finalissima win against Italy which has sealed his legacy in Albiceleste colours.

El Fideo should be regarded on par with people like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Mario Kempes, in the opinion of Argentina’s first World Cup-winning manager Cesar Luis Menotti.

Since making his debut in 2008 against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifying match, Di Maria has accumulated 132 caps and scored 29 goals.

In their opening game of the 2026 World Cup qualifying season against Ecuador, the defending world champions will feature Di Maria in their lineup.

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The 18-year-old has been called up to Argentina’s senior squad and is likely to make his senior debut for the world champions during this month’s internationals. In a pair of friendlies, La Albiceleste will face Australia and Indonesia.

Garnacho has had a breakout season at Manchester United, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising young players.

Garnacho was asked how it felt to be in the squad with a national idol like Messi in Beijing, ahead of their opening match against Australia.

“I haven’t spoken to Messi much. I’ve watched him on TV all my life and now he’s right here, it’s amazing. It doesn’t seem real,” he said.

Garnacho has previously acknowledged that rival Cristiano Ronaldo was his idol, despite his excitement to have the chance to play with Messi.

There have also been rumours that Garnacho would return to Spain, the nation he had represented as a young player. He might participate in these future friendly with Argentina while still legally representing La Roja in competitive play, according to FIFA regulations.

The winger, however, has taken action to put an end to these rumours by reiterating his commitment to Argentina going forward.

“I don’t need to play three games. I’m here and if I don’t make my debut on the tour, it doesn’t matter. I know I want to be with Argentina and it’s going to happen,” Garnacho said.

“I want to make a career with the Argentine national team, if the coach trusts me I can keep coming. I want to be one more and take part in the Copa America, the qualifiers and the World Cup. I know that a lot of people in Argentina love me, appreciate me. I’ve already made the decision to play for Argentina, and I’m going to return that love on the pitch.”

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Carlos Tevez has slammed Paris Saint-Germain’s treatment of Lionel Messi, with the Argentine having to apologise for taking an unauthorised vacation.

Following a humiliating loss in Ligue 1, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner travelled to Saudi Arabia with his family before receiving a two-week suspension from PSG.

Messi was later allowed to resume training once the suspension was removed, but the impact of his vacation to the Middle East and choice to forego signing a new deal at Parc des Princes continues. A club that should be grateful to have such legendary players at its disposal has supplied Tevez’s opinion on a scenario that he believes may have been handled better. Tevez was Messi’s former international teammate.

Ex-Manchester United, Juventus and City star Tevez has told TyC Sports of the behaviour his fellow countryman has had to put up with in France: “I think Messi gives us all a humbling blow. Because if you told me, when I was world champion, that I had to apologise for going on a trip when I had a day off, I’d go back to Rosario and stay there drinking mate.

You’d have to apologise to me! But Messi, the truth is, he puts the club above everything else. And I think that, in that case, you have to take your hat off to him. Then we can say a lot of things about a club that didn’t really look after him. From the first moment he arrived, they didn’t look after him. That’s how it is.”

Messi has received criticism from PSG fans during his tenure at the Ligue 1 champions, with concerns raised about his dedication to the team following a 2021 transfer from Barcelona that was necessitated by financial difficulties at Camp Nou.

As his Paris contract nears the end and he becomes eligible for free agency, Messi is currently being connected with a return to Barcelona. He has also drawn interest from Major League Soccer and is rumoured to have a record-breaking contract offer on the table from the Saudi club Al-Hilal.

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Lionel Messi won two awards at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards, becoming the first player in history to do so.

The Argentine legend, who guided his nation to World Cup victory in Qatar 2022, has had another incredible year despite receiving criticism from the occasional angry PSG fan.

After winning the world championship, Messi was able to follow in the footsteps of other all-time greats like Diego Maradona and Pele. He also received the FIFA Best Award and the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award.

Argentina won the Team of the Year gong at the latest glitzy gathering in Paris, allowing Messi to become the first man to scoop individual and collective awards in the same year.

Messi said when accepting his personal accolade: “This is a special honour, particularly as the Laureus World Sports Awards are in Paris this year, the city that has welcomed my family since we came here in 2021. I want to thank all my team-mates, not only from the national team but also at PSG – I have achieved none of this alone and I am grateful to be able to share everything with them.

I want to thank the Laureus Academy – what makes these Awards so special to us as athletes is the fact that they are voted for by these incredible champions, my heroes, and this puts my sporting achievements in true context.

This is the first time I have been the sole winner of the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award and after a year when we finally won another prize we had been chasing for a long time, at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, it’s an honour to be able to hold this Laureus Statuette.”

Messi went on to say of following in some illustrious footsteps: “I was looking at the names of the incredible legends that won the Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award before me: Schumacher, Woods, Nadal, Federer, Bolt, Hamilton, Djokovic… it really sunk in what unbelievable company I’m in and what a unique honour this is.

And I am even happier that the team I was a part of at the World Cup have also been recognised by the Laureus Academy tonight. The World Cup was an unforgettable adventure for us, and I can’t describe how it felt to return to Argentina and see what our victory had given to the people of my country. It was an experience I can never forget and I want to thank the Academy for honouring our achievement.

I play in a team sport and Argentina won the World Cup because of our team. To be recognised within that team – and to be the first athlete from a team sport to win the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award – is an extraordinary honour.

Individual prizes are not the reason we play – but the Laureus World Sports Awards give us a unique opportunity to celebrate what we do alongside great athletes from other sports.”

 

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As his contract with PSG expires and he approaches free agency in 2023-24, Messi, who returned to PSG training on Monday with further important victories under his belt, must now determine where his future rests.

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