Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah have all made the finalists of FIFA's The Best award, however Barcelona's Director of Football Operations Javier Bordas believes that the absence of Lionel Messi discredits the award.
"Messi's absence discredits the award," he explained.
"Everybody knows he is the best in the world in all aspects.
"If you put Messi in Modric's position then he'd do better, he's a better passer, better finisher, he's been the best for many years."
Messi will not be present at the ceremony on Monday, although Bordas believes it's astonishing that there isn't a Barcelona player in the final shortlist.
"Of the three nominees Modric is the favourite over Cristiano Ronaldo," he admitted.
"However, if we remember last season Barcelona finished 17 points ahead of Madrid, there have to be more Barcelona players."
Patrick2202
156
Some people don't just know when to keep quiet. Even if it were a goal keeper vying for ballon d'or people like this will say if Messi were a goal keeper he will be better than the person. Being a fan or being a part of a team shouldn't make people disrespectful or borderline stupid. Respect others even when things don't go ur way.
TempleK
111
Stats proving the title of this Article right. .. so what makes Modric Thick this time? He won the Champions League 3 times with Madrid playing key roles in each of the campaigns and he also played in the World Cup finals in the same calender year. He is an European Champion like CR7 and also has the world cup best players award. That is what makes Modric a clear favorite among other contenders. Maybe someone from the French Team should have made the 3 finalist list. .. someone like Raphael Varane could also lay claim to this award.
preciousgeoffrey59
98
This is just a ridiculous statement coming from a director It is at least 99% true that Messi deserved and should have made the top three list but saying Messi will do better than Modric in his position is just disrespectful I will not be surprised Messi ended up voting for Modric So we should learn to give respect to whom it is due to and Modric absolutely deserved it and remember he did not choose himself we was chosen by us
imroyan
71
Being better than someone and proving it on field is two different things. Messi might be a better passer and finisher & perform better if deployed in Modric's position but he didn't do anything significant last year. CL is way bigger than LaLiga & CDR combined as we have seen in past decade. Also, Messi didn't do much in WC & CL. Ronaldo and Modric won UEFA SUPERCUP, Spanish Cup, Club World Cup and CL obviously so both of them deserve to be there. Though Messi could have been on podium instead of Salah who didn't win anything even after performing so well. But still he wouldn't have won the award.
subcilo
67
Messi is only the best for Barcelona even not for his country or he is not fit for any others club trust me!!
Raystephen
50
Am I the only one with this feeling that Fifa is ran in Spain? Why does it not won elsewhere? Something is fishy..
Gopan Ameshu
42
Is Messi the best forward or the best mid-fielder or Is he the Best Winger?? If Ronaldo scores Goal, he is compared to Messi.π π π π If Neymar dribble, he is compared to Messi.π π π If Salad top EPL scoring chart, he is the Messi of Egypt.π π π If Hazard plays well, they say he is like Messi.π π Now, Modric is a midfielder, but nobody feel Modric is better than Messi in Midfield.π π π Award should be rename the 'Award for Champion League winner trophy' not the FIFA best player. βΊ I think player should be judge on individual skills, consistency and the influence on the team performance...not just on trophy won. Winning trophies is team work but best player is individual case...