In light of the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday evening, 365Scores presents the 2021 Football Oscars. Each award has a minimum of three nominees with the winner emboldened.
Best Lead Actor (Best Player):
- Erling Haaland – Borussia Dortmund & Norway
In 2021 Haaland produced an impressive 49 goals in 51 matches for club and country, and helped bolster Dortmund to capture the DFB-Pokal for the club’s first German Cup in four years. Haaland netted six goals in eight outings for his native Norway, and the 21-year-old is almost certain to leave Dortmund for a European powerhouse in the upcoming summer.
- Robert Lewandowski – FC Bayern & Poland
Lewandowski outperformed any other player in world football when it comes to scoring goals. He bagged a stellar 69 goals in 59 games for club and country in 2021, and the Bayern no.9 was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for a second successive year. Lewandowski’s contributions also steered the Bavarians to a 9th consecutive Bundesliga title.
- Kylian Mbappé – Paris St-Germain & France
Mbappé had another splendid year in which the spry attacker notched 51 goals in 67 appearances for club and country, all before his 23rd birthday. He continues to be the main man at PSG in a team featuring the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi. Mbappé also spearheaded France’s triumph in the UEFA Nations League, scoring for Les Bleus in the semifinals versus Belgium as well as in the final against Spain.
Best Supporting Actor (Best Supporting Player):
- Jorginho – Chelsea & Italy
Jorginho was a stronghold for Chelsea in capturing the UEFA Champions League and in Italy’s coup at the European Championships.
- N’Golo Kanté – Chelsea & France
Kanté may not be the most prolific nor the most appreciated player, however his importance should never be overlooked. Kanté is unquestionably amongst the best holding midfielders and he would walk into any one of the best teams in world football. The Frenchman was named Man of the Match in the UCL Final versus Man City and also scooped the MOTM awards in both semifinal legs against Real Madrid.
- Dušan Tadić – AFC Ajax & Serbia
Tadić has been a revelation since his switch from Southampton to Ajax and he inherited the captaincy at the Amsterdam club in 2019 – a year after moving away from the Premier League. Tadić has asserted himself as one of Erik ten Hag’s most pivotal components and in 2021 the Serbian winger registered 35 assists for club and country, one shy of the record for most assists in a calendar year (Messi, 36 in 2011).
Best Director (Best Manager):
- Pep Guardiola – Manchester City
Guardiola and Man City captured a third Premier League crown in four years and also reached the Champions League Final in a losing effort to Chelsea.
- Roberto Mancini – Italy
Under Mancini’s tutelage, the Azzurri became champions of Europe for a second time as they beat England on penalties after the Final ended 1-1 at Wembley.
- Thomas Tuchel – Chelsea
Since taking over the reigns at Chelsea, Tuchel has taken Europe (and the world) by storm. In his first four months in charge the German coach guided the Blues to capture Champions League glory, cement their spot in the Premier League top four, as well as progress to the FA Cup Final. Chelsea also won the FIFA Club World Cup within 12 months of Tuchel’s appointment at Stamford Bridge.
Best Costume Design (Best Team Jersey):
- Ajax Amsterdam – Third
Ahead of the current season AFC Ajax launched what will perhaps go down as the Dutch club’s most symbolic jersey to date. Reggae icon Bob Marley is well-known for his affinity with the beautiful game, and the Amsterdam-based club officially adopted Marley’s song ‘Three Little Birds’ as its anthem in 2008. After 13 years of the Ajax faithful singing Marley’s song in the Johan Cruyff Arena, the club paid tribute to the late musician with a third jersey which features the Rastafarian colours – red, yellow and green – on the collar and sleeves. The back of the shirt also dons three birds in recognition of the Jamaican icon.
- Arsenal – Third / Retro
Arsenal currently have two kits inspired from the Gunners’ successful period during the 90s. The third kit is distinctive of its lightning bolt theme similar to the away strip by Nike in 1994 and 1995. The North London club also released an additional retro kit towards the end of 2021, a yellow jersey with a red collar and blue diagonal stripes, influenced by their away colours from the 1993/94 season.
- Atlético Mineiro – Away
This special jersey, named ‘Manto da Massa 113’ was designed by a supporter of Atlético Mineiro in commemoration of the Brazilian club’s 113th anniversary. This beige design by Le Coq Sportif features a detailed map of the Minas Gerais area, home to the city of Belo Horizonte, as well as the state’s flag on the rear of the shirt.
- Paris St-Germain – Fourth
PSG have released a handful of lavish designs since collaborating with Air Jordan in 2018, and it would be almost criminal to not include the Parisians as a nominee for Best Costume Design.
- Venezia – Home / Away / Third
Last year Venezia secured promotion to the Serie A after 19 years away from the Italian top-flight, and in the same summer ended its long-standing partnership with Nike. Venezia have become renowned for their lush and intricate kits and upon signing with Italian sportswear brand Kappa, the Venetian club launched an aesthetic range of kits which is our pick to walk away with the Football Oscar for Best Costume Design in 2021. The away jersey dons a triangle pattern inspired by the tradition of Venetian mosaics.
Best Original Song (Best Chant/Anthem):
Recorded in 1983 by Italian singer-songwriter Antonello Venditti, ‘Grazie Roma’ accompanies the official anthem of the Rome-based club titled ‘Roma Roma Roma’ – also written by Venditti.
- Hala Madrid Y Nada Mas
- Grazie Roma
Released in 2014 in celebration of Real Madrid’s 10th European Cup (La Décima), this anthem has become a favourite amongst the Los Blancos faithful and is played frequently at the Santiago Bernabéu.
- You’ll Never Walk Alone
Made famous mainly by Liverpool, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ has also been adopted by other clubs across Europe – most notably Celtic in Glasgow, Scotland as well as German club Borussia Dortmund.
