Lionel Messi removed from 2018 Fifa's men's player of the year award
Barcelona forward,Lionel Messi, is not in the final three for the world football governing body's prestigious annual prize.
Messi has been snubbed of this title for the first time in 12 years.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah made the cut ahead of the Argentina captain, who fired Barcelona to a domestic double last season.
Peter Schmeichel tipped Modric, the World Cup Golden Ball winner, to win the award at the unveiling of the nominations in London.
“I think we have a new winner this year," said the former Manchester United goalkeeper. “I think his performances were fantastic. Rightly so he got best player at the World Cup and I fully expect him to win this.”
Messi's absence from the top three of The Best comes as surprise after his excellent season, which saw Barcelona win La Liga and the Copa del Rey as he won the Pichichi and the European Golden Shoe.
It's true that Argentina fell short at the World Cup but Ronaldo's Portugal also failed to make it beyond the last 16. Messi has finished second in the two editions of The Best to date, always behind Cristiano. Neymar was third in 2016 and Griezmann in 2017.
The winner will be named on September 24 at a gala in London. The prizes are voted for by players, coaches journalists and fans through the Internet.
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