Famous football stars, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have failed to make the final shortlist for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year for the first time in 10 years.
The arch-rivals were absent on the shortlist due their poor run in the last Champions League campaign.
Ronaldo’s Juventus exited the Champions League at the last 16 last season after a surprise defeat to Lyon, while Messi’s Barcelona side were knocked out in a humiliating 8- 2 defeat by Bayern Munich.
Messi won the UEFA award in 2010-11 and 2014-15 having been nominated six times in the past 10 seasons. Ronaldo collected the accolade three times, in 2013-14, 2015-16, and 2016-17 while playing for Real Madrid. He has been shortlisted for award nine times.
Bayern Munich duo, Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer, plus Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, were nominated for the 2020 edition on Wednesday, September 23.
Polish striker, Lewandowski is favourite to win the award, which will be revealed at the draw ceremony for the Champions League group stage on October 1.
