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UEFA Champions League Announces Controversial Nominees for 2018/19 Season Awards 

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Messi, Ronaldo and van Dijk Nominated for the best Men's player as FIFA announce Finalists for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019

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Messi, Ronaldo and van Dijk Nominated as FIFA announce Finalists for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 - EssentiallySports

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Messi, Ronaldo and van Dijk Nominated as FIFA announce Finalists for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019

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<strong>Alex Morgan</strong>

American soccer star Alex Morgan has been one of the most recognisable faces on the women's football scene. She joined the prestigious UC Berkeley and played for the California Golden Bears in 2007.

After graduating from college, her club career began in earnest. Morgan's first ever professional club was Western New York Flash in 2011. In that year, she helped guide the team to the Women's Professional Soccer title, playing 14 matches and scoring four goals.

A year later, when the WPS folded, owing to legal and financial issues, Alex Morgan moved to the Seattle Sounders Women's team. There, she was reunited with her national teammates, Hope Solo, Sydney Leroux, Megan Rapinoe and Stephanie Cox. However, her appearances were limited by her national duties.

She also had stints at Portland Thorns and Orlando Pride until 2017. Alex Morgan even had foreign experience when she was loaned to Ligue 1 team, Lyon in 2017. However, she returned to Orlando Pride in the following year and would remain there to this day.

Club exploits aside, Alex Morgan was far more well-known for her international heroics.

<strong>On-pitch Achievements</strong>

In 2011, Alex Morgan became the youngest player on the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/us-soccer-federation-claims-womens-team-is-paid-more-than-the-men/">US Women's National Team</a> roster. She scored her first World Cup goal in the semifinal against France.

In addition to that, against Japan, Alex Morgan was the first player to ever record a goal and an assist in a World Cup final. She even helped guide the USWNT to an Olympic gold in 2012, as well as the FIFA World Cup in 2015 and more recently in 2019.

<strong>Alex Morgan's Net Worth, Salary and Endorsement</strong>

In 2015, Alex Morgan and her teammate, Christine Sinclair and Steph Catley became the first female players to feature on a FIFA game, namely FIFA 16. She was also featured in FIFA 19's story mode.

She has a net worth of $3 million and has a salary of $56,000 with Orlando Pride. Morgan is also sponsored by Nike, Coca Cola Molecule and Secret.

<strong>Foundations and Charity</strong>

Alex Morgan established a soccer camp in partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation. She was also one of the first players to join <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/juan-mata/">Juan Mata's</a> Common Goal charity. The American soccer star is also a staunch supporter of gender equality.
<table width="522">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Age</strong></td>
<td width="319">30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Height</strong></td>
<td width="319">5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Marital Status</strong></td>
<td width="319">Married</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Spouse/Partner</strong></td>
<td width="319">Servando Carrasco</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Residence</strong></td>
<td width="319">Los Angeles</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Nationality</strong></td>
<td width="319">USA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Teams</strong></td>
<td width="319">USA, West Coast FC, California Storm, Pali Blues, Western New York Flash, Seattle Sounders Women, Portland Thomas FC, Orlando Pride, Lyon</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Endorsements</strong></td>
<td width="319">Nike, Coca Cola, Molecule, Chapstick, Mondelez International</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Alex Morgan

<span style="font-size: 16px">Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the world. The Manchester United striker is one of the biggest names in world football and has won the Ballon d'Or five times in his career.</span>

He started his career at Portuguese club Sporting CP at the age of 16. He then caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson and transferred to <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/football/premier-league-2019-20/manchester-united/">Manchester United</a>. From there, he was coaxed into joining La Liga giants Real Madrid, where he stayed for a long time.

After a record-breaking stint with the Spanish giants, Ronaldo joined yet another European superpower as he joined record Serie A champions, Juventus. After 12 long years, the prodigal son returned back to Manchester United for his last dance. CR7 has defied father time and has continued to be one of the most dominant goal scorers all across Europe.
<h3>Cristiano Ronaldo’s Net Worth and Salary</h3>
According to Forbes, Ronaldo's net earning in 2021 is estimated to be a staggering $120 million. That insane sum puts him at No 3 on the list of the world's highest-paid athletes for 2021, behind only MMA fighter Conor McGregor and longtime rival Lionel Messi.

His net earnings include $70 million, which he earned in salary and winnings, while his off-the-field earnings amounted to a massive sum of $50 million.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-766474 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Cristiano-Ronaldo-1.jpg" alt="Cristiano Ronaldo" width="1200" height="667" />
<h3><strong>On-pitch </strong><b>Achievements</b></h3>
Ronaldo joined United during the 2003-04 season and instantly made an impact. With regard to Cristiano Ronaldo's achievements, he guided the Red Devils to <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/football/premier-league-2019-20/">Premier League</a> glory during the 2006-07 season and continued to rake in the laurels in the next two seasons.

During the 2009-10 season, Real Madrid found the Portuguese talisman too good to pass up and pounced straightaway. Ronaldo joined Real Madrid for a world-record transfer fee at the time, of £80 million.

Naturally, he made an impact once again, guiding Los Blancos to second in his first season. During the 2011-12 season, after playing bridesmaid for two straight years, Ronaldo helped Real Madrid clinch the La Liga title.

[caption id="attachment_734451" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-734451" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1163338011.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280" /> SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - JULY 21: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the International Champions Cup match between Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur at the Singapore National Stadium on July 21, 2019 in Singapore. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images)[/caption]

Cristiano would remain with the Spanish club for a very long time until the 2018-19 season when he was enticed by an offer from Juventus. And Ronaldo continued to add more trophies to an already iconic cabinet.

Adding 2 Serie A titles, 2 Italian Super cups, Ronaldo has continued to be one of the most prolific goalscorers and is showing no signs of slowing down. Juventus might be struggling in the league, but if not for CR7's heroics, they might have slipped away from the top four spots in the league.

He won several league titles and Champions League titles along with the Ballon d'Or five times. In 2016, he finally had some success on the international stage as he led an unlikely Portugal side to the Euro 2016 title.

The Juventus forward also helped Portugal create history as they won the first-ever edition of the Nations League. The only thing missing is the elusive FIFA World Cup.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-133840" src="https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Ronaldo-k9n-621x414@LiveMint.jpg" alt="" width="621" height="414" />
<h3><b>Cristiano Ronaldo’s Endorsements</b></h3>
Cristiano Ronaldo signed a four-year contract with Juventus after completing a €100 million transfer. This included an additional €12 million in other fees. The transfer was the highest ever for a player over 30 years old, and the highest ever paid by an Italian club.

Ronaldo is one of few players to have signed a lifetime deal with Nike, which is worth $1 billion. The other two players to sign a similar deal are Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

[caption id="attachment_734453" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-734453" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1234407612.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1279" /> TURIN, ITALY - AUGUST 02: Juventus player Cristiano Ronaldo during a training session at JTC on August 2, 2021 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)[/caption]

He has various endorsements deal with Tag Heuer, Clear Haircare, Altice, DAZN, Herbalife, MTG, Egyptian Steel, etc, it's almost impossible to keep track of them, claims Forbes.

The Portuguese international also owns his own clothing brand, known as <a href="https://www.cr7footwear.com/">CR7</a>. Ronaldo also has hotels branded under his CR7 Line through the <a href="https://www.pestanacr7.com/en">Pestano Lifestyle Hotels company</a>.
<h3><strong>Foundations and Charity Work</strong></h3>
Cristiano Ronaldo supports the likes of UNICEF, Save the Children, AIDS Still Required, and World Vision among others.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Age</strong></td>
<td width="319">36</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Marital Status</strong></td>
<td width="319">Partnered with Georgina Rodríguez</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Spouse</strong></td>
<td width="319">None</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Height</strong></td>
<td width="319">1.87m (6 ft 2 in)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Teams</strong></td>
<td width="319">Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Residence</strong></td>
<td width="319">Gran Madre de Dio</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Nationality</strong></td>
<td width="319">Portugal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Endorsements</strong></td>
<td width="319">Tag Heuer, Altice, DAZN, Herbalife, MTG, Nike</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Agent</strong></td>
<td width="319">Jorge Mendes</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Cristiano Ronaldo

FIFA

<strong>Jurgen Klopp’s Net Worth, Salary and Endorsements</strong>

German football manager, Jurgen Klopp is currently the manager of the Liverpool football team. Back in the day, Klopp was a professional player himself and played for a few clubs ending his playing career at FSV Mainz 05 before turning into a manager.

After his retirement, he became their manager succeeding Eckhard Krautzun. He went on to manage the side for eight years, guiding them to the Top 5 on four occasions, with a best finish of 3rd.

He would later join Borussia Dortmund in 2008 until 2015. Finally, he has now settled with Liverpool and continues to manage them to this day.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-76211" src="http://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Jurgen-Klopp-Borussia-Dortmund-Training-Session-xRJswOX6OUDl.jpg" alt="Jurgen Klopp" width="594" height="395" />

<strong>Achievements</strong>

Klopp often implements the tactic known as the <i>Gegenpress</i>. Over here, if a team loses possession of the ball, they immediately attempt to win back possession. This is the complete opposite of the instinct to fall back and regroup for another attack.

According to the German, a well-executed counter-pressing system can be more effective than any playmaker when it comes to creating chances.

He described it as, "The best moment to win the ball is immediately after your team just lost it. The opponent is still looking for orientation where to pass the ball. He will have taken his eyes off the game to make his tackle or interception and he will have expended energy. Both make him vulnerable"

Jurgen Klopp's salary is slated to be £7 million a year and Jurgen Klopp's net worth is around £17.6 million a year.

&nbsp;

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-149855" src="http://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2019-03-06-at-2.47.52-AM.png" alt="" width="1034" height="534" />

<strong>Controversies</strong>

Jurgen Klopp is not a person who has been involved in many controversies. However, he has been known for his over the top celebrations, especially in his Liverpool tenure.

During a 2-1 win over Everton in January at the FA Cup, Klopp celebrated by running onto the pitch and hugging goalkeeper, Alisson. He was subsequently fined £8,000 and warned about his future conduct by the Football Association.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Age</strong></td>
<td width="319">51</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Marital Status</strong></td>
<td width="319">Married</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Spouse</strong></td>
<td width="319">Ulla Sandrock</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Residence</strong></td>
<td width="319">Liverpool</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Nationality</strong></td>
<td width="319">Germany</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Clubs Managed</strong></td>
<td width="319">Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Jurgen Klopp

<h3><strong>Lionel Messi</strong></h3>
Argentine striker Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the best ever footballers of his generation. His level of skill is par excellence with that of rival Cristiano Ronaldo. In 2021, the 34-year-old is set to feature for French giants Paris Saint-Germain and is worth nearly $600 million.

It may seem hard to believe that someone who was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency as a child would become a football sensation, but Messi was undoubtedly saved by his athletic abilities with the ball at his feet.

Messi's career hasn't been all laurels, unfortunately. He was heavily involved in a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/07/sports/soccer/lionel-messi-taxes-prison-suspended.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tax fraud case</a> in 2013. Offshore companies in tax havens Uruguay and Belize were used to evade €4.1 million in taxes. This was in relation to sponsorship earnings between 2007 and 2009.

A company in Panama was identified as belonging to the Messi family in the <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/business/new-panama-papers-leak-reveals-offshore-secrets-of-lionel-messi-1.3537731" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Panama Papers</a> data leak. Messi pleaded ignorance of the alleged scheme, voluntarily paid arrears of €5.1 million in August 2013.

On 6 July 2016, Messi and his father were both found guilty of tax fraud and were handed suspended 21-month prison sentences and respectively ordered to pay €1.7 million and €1.4 million in fines.

[caption id="attachment_734469" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-734469" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1333916410.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280" /> PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 13: Lionel Messi warms up during a Paris Saint-Germain training session at Ooredoo Center on August 13, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)[/caption]
<h3><strong>On-pitch </strong><b>Achievements</b></h3>
The Argentine made his debut with the Spanish giants FC Barcelona in 2003. Before his professional debut with the club at the age of 18, Messi honed his skills with the revered youth academy, the '<em>La Masia.'</em>

Interestingly, he almost left the club in 2005. As it turned out, Serie A side, Juventus wanted to get him on a loan. Their rivals, Inter Milan, wanted to straight up buy him and were even willing to shell out money for his $150 million release clause. But in the end, he elected to stay with Barca.

Messi has helped Barcelona to the La Liga title on ten occasions. He has also clinched the Copa del Rey six times and the Champions League four times.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-702264" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Lionel-Messi-Copa-America.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />

In terms of international trophies, Messi guided Argentina to the U-20 World Cup glory in 2005. In 2008, he also helped the 'Albiceleste' to an Olympic gold.

His long wait for International silverware finally came to an end in 2021 when he led the South American giants to a Copa America victory over rivals and record world champions Brazil as they beat them 1-0 in the Finals. He is the third highest active goalscorer in the world right now, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Indian striker Sunil Chhetri.

[caption id="attachment_734461" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-734461" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1234577406.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1279" /> BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 08: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternate crop) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona faces the media during a press conference at Nou Camp on August 08, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)[/caption]

While he captained the Blaugranes, from 2018, the Spanish giants failed to keep their talismanic forward with the club. In 2021, while the Argentine and Barcelona had an agreement on a contract, Financial Fair Play rules meant that signing Messi would be a breach of the code of conduct.

This meant that the Spanish giants lost Messi, who understandably was distraught leaving his boyhood club.

Eventually, the Argentine ended up signing a new contract with French giants Paris Saint-Germain. Joining former teammate Neymar Jr. and other stars like Kylian Mbappe and Angel di Maria, Messi now joins a loaded PSG side who looks like a team on a mission.

The 6-time Ballon D'or winner is entering a new phase of his career and will be wearing a different team's jersey for the first time in the last 21-years. PSG might be the perfect place for the Argentine to thrive who will look to add to his ever-increasing trophy cabinet.

[caption id="attachment_734464" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="size-full wp-image-734464" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1333570929.jpg" alt="" width="1920" height="1280" /> PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 11: Lionel Messi poses with his jersey next to President Nasser Al Khelaifi after the press conference of Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes on August 11, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Sebastien Muylaert/Getty Images)[/caption]
<h3><strong>Lionel Messi’s Net Worth, Salary and Endorsement</strong></h3>
Currently, the highest paid soccer player, along with his impressive endorsement deals, he was ranked by Forbes as the highest-paid athlete in the world in 2021. As mentioned before, he is reportedly worth $600 million.

Messi averages an equivalent of about $41 million a year in this contract - or $854,000 a week.
<h3><strong>Foundations and Charity Work</strong></h3>
Messi has been involved in charitable efforts aimed at vulnerable children. His commitment stems from the medical difficulties he faced in his own childhood. Since 2004, he has contributed his time and finances to UNICEF. The organisation has a strong association with FC Barcelona. Messi has even served as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since his appointment in March 2010.

Messi founded his own charitable organisation, the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports access to health care, education, and sport for children.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Age</strong></td>
<td width="319">34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Height</strong></td>
<td width="319">1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Marital Status</strong></td>
<td width="319">Married</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Spouse</strong></td>
<td width="319">Antonella Roccuzzo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Residence</strong></td>
<td width="319">Castelldefels</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Nationality</strong></td>
<td width="319">Argentina</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Teams</strong></td>
<td width="319">Argentina, Barcelona C, Barcelona B, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Endorsements</strong></td>
<td width="319">Gatorade, Adidas, Huawei, Lay's, Mastercard, Pepsi, Hawkers, Gatorade, Ooredoo</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Lionel Messi

<strong>Pep Guardiola’s Net Worth, Salary and Endorsements</strong>

Josep 'Pep' Guardiola is a former player-turned manager in football. Guardiola kicked off his player career with FC Barcelona as a defensive midfielder.

After his Barca stint, he moved to the Serie A to join Brescia and later AS Roma. He even played for the Spanish national team and a few friendlies for Catalonia.

When he took on a managerial role, his first assignment was the Barcelona B team in 2007. A year later, he was promoted to manager of the senior team. However, following the 2011-12 season, he took a sabbatical for a year.

But in the following year, he returned to manage Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich. He remained with the team until the 2015-16 season.

Now, he is managing Manchester City in the Premier League and already guided them to a triumph.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-100903 size-full" src="http://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/guardiola2.jpg" alt="" width="728" height="485" />

<strong>Achievements</strong>

Under Guardiola, Barcelona became highly disciplined with more focus on possession. He also employed a disciplined and aggressive pressing style.

He often played a high defensive line with the full backs pushing high up their respective sides. <sup id="cite_ref-157" class="reference"></sup>During the 2011–12 season, Guardiola employed the 3-4-3 line-up, especially when facing two attackers.

Pep Guardiola’s salary is slated to be £15.3 million a year and Jurgen Klopp’s net worth is around £17.6 million a year.

<strong>Controversies</strong>

Like Klopp, Guardiola is another manager who avoids controversy as much as possible. However, recently he backed the introduction of VAR when it seemingly aided City's win over Watford. Guardiola is also a huge supporter of Catalonia's independence.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-94338" src="http://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/2015-12-20T105534Z_1_LYNXMPEBBJ09P_RTROPTP_3_SOCCER-GERMANY-CUP.jpg" alt="Guardiola" width="728" height="546" />

&nbsp;
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Age</strong></td>
<td width="319">48</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Marital Status</strong></td>
<td width="319">Married</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Spouse</strong></td>
<td width="319">Cristina Serra</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Residence</strong></td>
<td width="319">Manchester</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Nationality</strong></td>
<td width="319">Spain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="319"><strong>Clubs Managed</strong></td>
<td width="319">Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Messi, Ronaldo and van Dijk Nominated as FIFA announce Finalists for The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019

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