VERY few trophies and individual awards have escaped the legendary Lionel Messi.
But the prestigious Golden Foot is one of them and he’ll be competing with a number of the Premier League’s top stars for its 20th edition.
The Paris Saint-Germain ace, 35, has been eligible for the award for seven years now but it’s one that has continued to escape him despite his glittering, trophy-laden career.
Messi has played a part in an astonishing 1,157 goals, and has won 40 trophies at club and international level – making him the second-most decorated player EVER.
He also has a number of Golden Boots to his name as well as a record-high SEVEN Ballon d’Ors.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah won in 2021, as did Cristiano Ronaldo the year before that, so Messi will be keen to peg an award back on his iconic Portuguese rival.
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In a boost to Messi, previous winners are not allowed to be nominated again, ruling Ronaldo out.
Candidates must also be at least 28 years old and still playing, so up-and-coming stars Kylian Mbappe and goal machine Erling Haaland are NOT a threat.
Prem stars Kevin de Bruyne, Jorginho, Harry Kane, N’Golo Kante, Heung min-Son, Thiago Silva and Virgil van Dijk have been nominated.
They will be fighting it out, alongside Messi, with a number of football’s biggest stars for an eternal place in the “Hollywood of football”.
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The winner will have their footprint placed on the Promenade of the Champions in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Neymar, who is hoping to win his first World Cup in November-December with Brazil, has also been put forward.
Ex-Liverpool and Barcelona striker Luis Suarez will also be popular.
Sergio Ramos and Manuel Neuer will also prove to be stiff competition for Messi and Co.
Legends are also recognised at the event and Fatih Terim in the first of four to be selected for an award.
Terim is best known for his four separate stints at Galatasaray and three as Turkey boss.
The 69-year-old won EIGHT Super Lig’s and more notably, one Uefa Cup with Galatasaray in 2000 where they beat Arsenal on penalties.
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He also managed in Italy, taking charge of AC Milan in 2001 and Fiorentina the year prior.
The four legends, alongside the winner of the Golden Foot, will be honoured on December 21 with Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
