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Ronaldo, Modric and Salah nominated for FIFA's best player award

Monday, 03 September 2018 10:03 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 03 September 2018 10:06 PM ]

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on September 03, 2018 shows Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah and Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo. (AFP)

FIFA has just released the shortlist of the 2018 men's player of the year award, nominating Cristiano Ronaldo alongside Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah.

Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of the Italian Serie A football match Parma vs Juventus on September 1, 2018 at Ennio Tardini stadium in Parma. (AFP)

The FIFA announcement came as a shock, as Lionel Messi was left off the shortlist, to give the ground to Ronaldo, after a decade of fascinating duel for the sport's top individual award.

The Portugal forward, lifted a 4th Champions League title in five years in May, to keep him in the FIFA shortlist this year, after he won the crown in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric celebrates a goal during the Spanish league football match Granada FC vs Real Madrid CF at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on February 7, 2016. (AFP)

Luka Modric also enjoyed a superb season for Real Madrid, helping the Galacticos with their Champions League triumph, and also the Croatia national team, in particular, helping his country reach the world cup final.

And finally, Liverpool and Egypt forward, Mohamed Salah, clinched a record-breaking Premier League first season with Liverpool, as his goals propelled Jurgen Klopp's side to the Champions League final, and set a host of individual club landmarks.