Messi, Kroos, Maignan: Who Donnarumma and Spalletti voted for at Best FIFA Awards

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·18 December 2024

Messi, Kroos, Maignan: Who Donnarumma and Spalletti voted for at Best FIFA Awards

Italy captain Donnarumma voted Leo Messi as the Best Player of the Year at the Best FIFA Awards, while coach Luciano Spalletti picked Toni Kroos.

International journalists and national team captains voted at the FIFA Best Award 2024, so Donnarumma and Spalletti represented the Azzurri and could pick three candidates for each award.

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The first pick received five points, the second three and the third only one.

Italy was also well represented by Carlo Ancelotti, who was named the FIFA Best Men’s Coach of 2024.

As revealed by FIFA, both Donnarumma and Spalletti put the Real Madrid boss in their top three.

epa11721407 Italy’s head coach Luciano Spalletti (2-R) and national team delegation head Gianluigi Buffon (R) sing their national anthem ahead of the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Belgium and Italy in Brussels, Belgium, 14 November 2024. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS

The Italian keeper voted Ancelotti as the best coach of the year, while Spalletti picked Pep Guardiola ahead of his compatriot.

As for the Player of the Year, Spalletti snubbed eventual winner Vinicius Jr. from his top three, picking Toni Kroos, Jude Bellingham and Leo Messi instead.

Donnarumma picked Messi as his first option, followed by Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. Both Messi and Mbappé shared the PSG dressing room with Donnarumma in the past.

Gigio was among the nominees for the Goalkeeper of the Year but didn’t make the top three, seeing Emiliano Martinez win again.

While Spalletti picked Donnarumma as his No.1 option, Gigio voted for Unai Simon, Andriy Lunin and Mike Maignan.