FIFA releases shortlist of 10 players for FIFA Best awards

FIFA have unveiled the 10 nominees for this year’s ‘The Best’ award. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe lead the list while Neymar, N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba have not made the shortlist.

Champions League and World Cup winner, Raphael Varane is the only defender included. Once again, no goalkeeper has made the shortlist.

Mohamed Salah's stunning form for Liverpool has earned him a place in the top 10 with other Premier League stars Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Harry Kane also making it.

Luka Modric, the World Cup Golden Ball winner, has not been ignored for his magnificent display in the last one year and has also been named on the shortlist.

The final name on the list is Atletico Madrid star, Antoine Griezmann. The UEFA Europa League and World Cup winner was a star for his club and country this year and is rightfully on the nominees' list.

However, Neymar, Pogba and N’Golo Kante will feel hard done by the list. The Brazilian, who finished third in the voting last year, did not make the list despite winning four domestic trophies with Paris Saint-Germain. He had an underwhelming World Cup but a lot of that can be owed to the injury he suffered leading up to the tournament, that might be the main reason for his omission.

Pogba was at his best at the World Cup as France won it for the first time in 20 years. His performance for Manchester United probably did not please the judges a lot, and thus, he could not make the list alongside his international team-mates Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Raphael Varane.

N’Golo Kante found himself in the same situation as an FA Cup triumph wasn’t enough to get him on the shortlist.

Fans have a chance to vote for their pick and the winner to be announced at a ceremony on September 24 in London. Ronaldo won the award in each of the two years, is backed by all to complete a hat-trick this year.