Filipe Luis: Fifa award has lost credibility after Messi omission

Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis has claimed that The Best Fifa Men’s Player Award has lost credibility after Barcelona star Lionel Messi was left off the three-man shortlist.

Despite Messi scoring 45 goals in 54 games for Barcelona last season, he didn’t make the cut, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah all being selected.

It is the first time that Messi, who has won the award or the equivalent five times, hasn’t made the shortlist since 2006.

Luis was left bewildered by Messi’s omission from the shortlist.

As reported by Give Me Sport, Luis said: ‘The award is for the best player in the world – and that today for me is Messi.

‘As in the past years. When he’s not there, the award loses its credibility.

‘It doesn’t matter if somebody wins the World Cup or the Champions League, he is the best.’ 

Atletico Madrid defender Filipe Luis was surprised by Messi’s omission from the shortlist

Messi helped Barcelona to win the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey last season, although he couldn’t prevent Argentina from going out of the World Cup at the last-16 stage.

Juventus attacker Ronaldo will surpass Messi as having won the award the most times if he prevails with his sixth triumph. 

Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Modric, meanwhile, enjoyed a stellar season as he won the Champions League and also helped Croatia to reach the World Cup final. 

Salah, the other nominee, scored a remarkable 44 goals in his debut season at Liverpool.