Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, who won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award, is also in the shortlist.
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup quarter-final played between Argentina and The Netherlands on Friday.
Argentina and Australia have only two full days to rest, a factor Argentine manager Lionel Scaloni called 'madness'.
This is Argentina's 6th final and their second shot at the trophy in the last two attempts. They were beaten by Germany in the 2014 final.
"I want to continue playing as a World Cup champion."
Scaloni has helped get one over the Dutch Master at least once before when he was at Deportivo, who pipped Van Gaal's Barcelona to the 1999-2000 La Liga title.
The Italian coach considers that having healthy players, such as striker Karim Benzema, will be the key to face the schedule that awaits the Madrid side, who will be looking to defend their LaLiga, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League titles.
FIFA tweeted a picture of the cutouts, saying 'World Cup fever has hit Kerala'.
'I feel very happy, to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final'
'We were aware that if we didn't win it would be more complicated.'
Lionel Messi didn't enjoy his time with the Ligue 1 side Paris Saint Germain.
Lionel Messi drew level with Diego Maradona's number of World Cup goals and appearances on Saturday, but the current No. 10 knows that only winning the trophy at long last will earn him the same eternal love of his fellow Argentines.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar and PSG's owner, was a happy man as he enveloped PSG players Messi, Mbappe and Angel Di Maria with a warm hug.
Reigning champions France take on Argentina in a showpiece final at Lusail Stadium with both teams looking to add a third star to their crest.
Copa American champions Argentina are unbeaten in 35 games and if this is to be Messi's final World Cup, they are in the form to deliver the title.
The 35-year-old also paid tribute to Messi, who played for Real's arch-rivals Barcelona.
Ronaldo said the quality of the Saudi competition had improved even in his short time in it.
Here are glimpses of unbound joy for the Samurais...
In the last two World Cup meetings between Argentina and the Netherlands, in the group stage in 2006 and a semi-final in 2014 which the Albiceleste won on penalties, neither side was able to score a goal in normal or extra time.
Australia midfielder Cameron Devlin did not play a minute of the World Cup but left Qatar with one of its biggest prizes after exchanging jerseys with Argentina's Lionel Messi.
Messi's World Cup chase takes centre stage in quarter-final clash
Galtier said all other players returned as per the schedule and will be available for Wednesday's game, including France striker Kylian Mbappe.
Alvarez tweeted that he got carried away and apologised to Messi and the people of Argentina.
Pochettino, who is well aware of Messi's game-changing abilities having worked with the 35-year-old last season, said he was still the best player in the world.
IMAGES from the FIFA World Cup Group C match played between Argentina and Poland on Wednesday.
A confectioner in Kolkata displays confectionery created in the likeness of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on Sunday, the opening day of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Benzema was Al-Ittihad's first signing since winning the league title for the first time since 2009 with compatriot Kante expected to join him
An overview of contenders in the race for top scorer at the 2022 World Cup.
Argentina came out on top over France in the FIFA World Cup 2022 final at Lusail by 4-2 on penalties after both teams finished 3-3 at extra time.
Croatia were not the favourites to reach the last four again but they came through two penalty shootouts in a repeat of their 2018 exploits.
Lionel Messi kept his dream of winning his first World Cup alive by rifling in the opening goal in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Mexico in World Cup Group C, proving he was far from done in the tournament.
The comparison with Maradona for the title of the greatest Argentine player of all time cannot be complete without a world title, which the late Maradona won almost single-handedly 36 years ago.
Argentina are on a 36-match unbeaten run with top scorer and captain Messi playing his fifth and last World Cup in search of the elusive honour
'The stark black and gold gown featured geometric embroidery in taban, accentuated with delicate pearls and crystals.'
Argentina captain Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni predicted a tough but beautiful encounter with the Netherlands when the sides meet in Friday's World Cup quarter-final.
Kylian Mbappe sent a letter to PSG last month stating that he had no intention of extending his contract, which expires in 2024.
The stadium erupted in cheers once more with Fernandez's late strike which sealed Argentina's first win in the tournament and rekindled Messi's hopes of a first-ever World Cup title.
Leeds sack Gracia, Allardyce to step in till season ends
This is the first time a player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo has topped the list in eight years.
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