Two former Nigerian footballers, John Mikel Obi and Mercy Akide, have been selected on the panel of experts for the 2023 FIFA The Best Award.
They will make up the 30-man panel that shortlisted the various candidates for The Best Awards.
Akide, a retired Super Falcons forward, has her name atop of the list 11 members for the women’s category, while Mikel is among the 11 that shortlisted the nominees for the men’s category.
In the panel is also former Ivory Coast International Didier Drogba.
Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé lead the 12-player shortlist for FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player nominees, with England midfielder Declan Rice also nominated after captaining former club West Ham United to Europa Conference League success.
Spain, who won the Women’s World Cup for the first time in Australia last month, have four players on the 12-name shortlist for women’s award with Aitana Bonmatí, Jenni Hermoso, Mapi León and Salma Paralluelo all in the race to succeed La Roja midfielder Alexia Putellas by winning the trophy.
