The legendary Argentine has managed only six goals in 16 appearances since his sensational move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season. He scored 37 times in all competitions in 2021, at least 15 more than any other Premier League player, and is top of the scoring charts for 2021-22 in EnglandвЂ™s top flight with 16, well ahead of team-mate Diogo Jota in second place on 10.ДЇor Messi, it is probably the other way round. His nomination is mostly down to his form in the second half of the year, though, with Salah scoring 22 goals in 25 games in all competitions. However, thanks in part to the Egypt forwardsвЂ™ 15 goals in 28 games between the turn of the year and end of the campaign, Liverpool reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League and finished third in the league, ahead of European champions Chelsea. Salah had a mixed year at Liverpool, with the RedsвЂ™ poor form at the start of 2021 almost costing them a place in the Premier LeagueвЂ™s top four. Lewandowski, last yearвЂ™s winner, was frankly ridiculous in front of goal, netting 43 in the Bundesliga in a calendar year, breaking Gerd MullerвЂ™s record from 1972, and 58 in all competitions in just 47 outings. However, there is no doubt which of the star trio stood out for finding the net time and time again. The trio scored 129 goals between them in 145 collective games across 2021, which includes 21 overall in this seasonвЂ™s Champions League group stage, over seven per cent of the total amount scored in the competition (297).

It is a harsh truth that scoring goals will almost always win over stopping them when it comes to the top awards, so it makes sense that Messi,В Lewandowski and Salah are the nominees for this year. The Best FIFA MenвЂ™s Player 2021 nominees. Stats Perform has taken a look at the data of the threeВ nominees for the menвЂ™s prize to try and decipher who is likeliest to come away with the prize. The awards will be decided by an international jury comprising national team coaches and captains, a selected journalist from each territory represented by a national side, and fans registered with FIFAвЂ™s website. The Ballon dвЂ™Or is broadly seen as footballвЂ™s version of the Oscars, but the annual FIFA Best award is also becoming one of the more sought-after honoursВ and the latest men and womenвЂ™s winners will be crowned on Monday at FIFAвЂ™s headquarters in Zurich. While team trophies will always be the end game for most players, the few who are good enough to be in contention for individual accolades put such importance on being recognised that they have been known to move clubs specifically to improve their chances of collecting silverware in a tuxedo rather than just inВ a dirty kit. There is nothing quite like an individual football award to create debateВ and there is sure to be plenty when one of Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski or Mohamed Salah is named this yearвЂ™s menвЂ™sВ FIFA Best winner on January 17. Get breaking news & transfers, expert betting tips, weekly odds and promos.

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