Messi absent as UEFA announce finalists for Player of the Year award

Marie Harrington

Mohamed Salah and Alisson

It will be pertinent to mention here that Salah spread the magic at UEFA Champions League this year with carrying Liverpool into the finals but getting off the field due to injury in finals.

The shortlist was chosen by votes cast by the 80 coaches who took part in European competition last season and 55 sports journalists, with the victor to be announced at the Champions League 2018-19 draw in Nyon.

There is an argument to be made that Luka Modrić will go down as one of the most underrated footballers of this generation, but a place on the shortlist for the Player of the Year award could show that the Croatian is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

Juventus and Portugal worldwide Cristiano Ronaldo has made the final three man shortlist of players that will fight for the 2017/18 UEFA player of the year award. In total, Salah scored 44 goals in all competitions.

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The shortlist is selected by Champions League coaches and invited journalists from across Europe, and Messi's two previous wins only came after Barcelona's Champions League titles in 2011 and 2015.

Ronaldo had 15 goals in 13 UCL matches en route to a Real Madrid Champions Cup victory over Liverpool. Croatia's Modric also shined in the World Cup taking his national team to the final match which they lost against France.

The Egyptian scored 10 goals in the UEFA Champions League proper last season to help the Reds reach the final in his debut season with the club. Ronaldo's assist record was far worst though, with just fife in La Liga and three in the Champions League, although the Portuguese forward would often lead the attack for Madrid.

UEFA has today announced the names of the nominees shortlisted for the 2017/18 UEFA Men's and Women's Player of the Year Awards.

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