The World Cup winner says that he doesn't care about The Best, so his international colleagues being snubbed is not a problem
Olivier Giroud has dismissed the importance of The Best FIFA Men's Player award and is adamant a Frenchman or Luka Modric has to win this year's Ballon d'Or for their respective World Cup exploits.
FIFA revealed the three-man shortlist for their individual gong on Monday , with Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah and Modric the three nominated.
Many were surprised by the fact Lionel Messi and all of France's World Cup-winning squad were overlooked, with Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe perhaps particularly unlucky given their strong respective seasons.
Giroud was stunned, yet he does not feel FIFA's award has any relevance in football, with the Ballon d'Or the main prize in his eyes.
"It is very surprising, but, to be honest, I do not attach importance to this trophy," Giroud told Le Parisien . "I'm only interested in the Ballon d'Or.
"It must be a Frenchman or Modric [who wins the Ballon d'Or]. If I could vote, I know which of my partners I would choose, but I will not tell you."
Mbappe enjoyed a fine World Cup and caught the eye with several impressive performances, particularly his two-goal display in France's 4-3 last-16 win over Argentina.
And, for Giroud, the 19-year-old is the best teenage talent he has seen since Thierry Henry.
When asked if he is continuously surprised by Mbappe, Giroud said: "How can you not be?
"He is breathtaking with his talent and maturity. One wonders where he will stop.
"At the same age, I have never met a boy so strong. It's never been seen since, perhaps, Thierry Henry."
ayushjuve
93
how people start hating when cr7 just leave his club due to some internal reason... people forgotten about dedication for real madrid... trophies he won for club
BAPPSPAULO
54
lots of people want Madrid to break the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo which has been on for a decade
BAPPSPAULO
47
modric has been very fantastic taking Croatia to the World Cup final is no easy feat he also won the champions league with Real Madrid which was impressive he was the back bone of Real Madrid and him breaking the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo will be something amazing
Sterzil
30
well I think modric would win this award he had a brilliant run last season helped Croatia to their best ever finish in a World Cup helped Madrid win their third champions league and he also won d best player in the tournament though I was surprised by the removal of messi and grizzy but still modric deserves this award....
Tituspeacekalunga
25
how they nominate or select?and if Giroud is correct,then fifa have to cancel the first nomination.
sunbdeiop
23
to me Messi should be on that list no sala. check
Hillmessi
21
If it were up to him, Giroud would give the Ballon'd'or to himself
preciousgeoffrey59
18
please giroud this is an individual award not a team award and yes individually Modric deserved to win it because he captained the underdog country and took them to world cup final thats history in the making and am sure thats what won him the award of fifa best player and seriously dont think any french player deserved to win it the best the deserved is third place because remove the world cup which was a team achievement what remarkable thing did a french player did last season so for me since Messi was not included the two players that deserved to win base on individual brilliancy is either Modric or Ronaldo
muslim1111
11
maybe the award should be awarded to Giroud since he already said the award she be given to either a French or Croatian player