Espanyol's Wu Lei competes during a La Liga match between Levante UD and RCD Espanyol in Valencia, Spain, March 12, 2022. (PABLO MORANO / XINHUA)

BEIJING – Chinese international Wu Lei has been listed in the 2022 Golden Foot Award 30-man nominations alongside Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema and Neymar, the organizing committee revealed on Sunday.

Espanyol's Wu Lei celebrates his goal during a La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and RC Celta in Cornella, Spain, April 10, 2022. (JOAN GOSA / XINHUA)

The Golden Foot Award is an international football award sponsored by Monarchy of Monaco since 2003, aiming to honor football players for their career achievements

The Golden Foot Award is an international football award sponsored by Monarchy of Monaco since 2003, aiming to honor football players for their career achievements. The men's award winner in 2021 was Egypt's Mohamed Salah.
The men's candidates for its 20th edition this year includes a slew of stars such as Messi, Benzema, Neymar and Robert Lewandowski. Other Asian players on the list include South Korea's Lee Chung-yong and Son Heung-min.

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31-year-old Wu, 2021 China's Footballer of the Year, returned to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port from Spanish side Espanyol last month.
According to the Golden Foot Award regulations, all football fans can vote on its official website to decide a final 10-candidate shortlist.