FIFA has revealed the shortlists for The Best Football Awards 2025, honoring top men's and women's players, goalkeepers and coaches based on performances from August 2024 to August 2025. Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Enzo Maresca feature prominently among the nominees. Voting by coaches, captains, journalists and fans opened on November 6 and closes on November 28.
The FIFA Best Awards recognize outstanding achievements in football, with nominees selected by FIFA and stakeholders, then reviewed by experts. The awards consider on-pitch performance and general conduct for players, and team performance and behavior for coaches, covering the period from August 11, 2024, to August 2, 2025.
In the men's player category, the 11 nominees include Cole Palmer of England and Chelsea, who recorded 15 goals and 11 assists last season. Palmer played a key role in Chelsea's Conference League and Club World Cup victories, scoring twice against Paris Saint-Germain in the latter final. He joins other Premier League representative Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Liverpool, alongside Ousmane Dembélé (France and Paris Saint-Germain), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain), Harry Kane (England and Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappé (France and Real Madrid), Nuno Mendes (Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain), Pedri (Spain and Barcelona), Raphinha (Brazil and Barcelona), Vitinha (Portugal and Paris Saint-Germain), and Lamine Yamal (Spain and Barcelona).
For men's coaches, Enzo Maresca of Chelsea is nominated after leading the club to Conference League and Club World Cup triumphs in his debut season. He competes with Javier Aguirre (Mexico), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain), Hansi Flick (Barcelona), Roberto Martínez (Portugal), and Arne Slot (Liverpool).
Men's goalkeepers shortlisted are Alisson Becker (Brazil and Liverpool), Thibaut Courtois (Belgium and Real Madrid), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy and Paris Saint-Germain/Manchester City), Emiliano Martínez (Argentina and Aston Villa), Manuel Neuer (Germany and Bayern Munich), David Raya (Spain and Arsenal), Yann Sommer (Switzerland and Inter Milan), and Wojciech Szczęsny (Poland and Barcelona).
Women's categories feature nominees such as Aitana Bonmatí (Spain and Barcelona) for player, last year's winner, along with goalkeepers like Cata Coll (Spain and Barcelona) and coaches including Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea).
Voters from 211 FIFA member associations—coaches, captains, journalists—and global fans each hold 25% weight. Each selects a top three, awarding 5, 3, or 1 point. National team captains and coaches can vote for their own players but not themselves. Journalists vote for those from their country or affiliated clubs, while fans vote freely if fair. Results from coaches, captains, and journalists will be public on FIFA's site. The ceremony date remains unannounced.