Last year, the community crowned Kylian Mbappé as the first 5A Player of the Year. This year he defends his crown — against Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, Dembélé, Haaland, Rodri, Messi, Michael Olise and Raphinha.

The 5A Awards are back, and they work the way they should: seven categories, one community vote, no closed room of journalists.

The categories: 5A Player of the Year (men's and women's), Best XI — you pick the full 4-3-3, Young Baller of the Year (U21), Best African Player, Moment of the Year, and Coach of the Year.

How it works: every category has a researched shortlist, plus a write-in box — because we know you'll have opinions we didn't think of. One vote per account, sign in to cast it. The results stay hidden until we announce the winners on the pod: you'll watch the total vote count climb, but never who's leading. No bandwagon effect.

Moment of the Year might be the hardest ballot in football: Spain lifting the World Cup in extra time at the MetLife. Arsenal ending the wait. PSG's 4-2 win at the Etihad. Guardiola walking away from City. The 114-breaches verdict. Messi's last dance at 39. And Yamal — starting a World Cup final at 19, and winning it. Good luck picking one.

The Ballon d'Or ceremony is Monday. The journalists will have their say — this is ours.

Voting is open at fiveasideent.com/awards/. Sign in, tap your picks, and defend them wherever you argue about football.