Messi, Griezmann miss ‘The Best’ podium

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric and former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo are on a three-man shortlist for FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards.

The duo are joined by Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah in the running for the men’s best player of 2018, but the headlines were made by the omission of both Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann.

Messi propelled Barca to the domestic double last season but failed to deliver in the Champions League and for Argentina in the World Cup, which appears to be decisive in the selection process.

Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann was crucial in his side’s Europa League victory and starred in France’s World Cup victory, meaning eyebrows have been raised at his exclusion.

Ronaldo helped Madrid to the Champions League title before moving to Juventus in a €100m move while Modric won both the European title and played a key role in Croatia’s World Cup final appearance.

Salah enjoyed a stellar debut season for Liverpool but ultimately ended trophy-less after being injured in the Champions League final against Madrid, before exiting at the World Cup group stages.

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