On Friday, UEFA cut down the top-ten shortlist to a final three for the Best Player in Europe award. With the likes of Luis Suarez, Thomas Muller, Antoine Griezmann, Gareth Bale, and Ballon d’Or kings Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo nominated, a few upsets were expected.
However, little could have guessed that both Messi and Suarez would miss out, which they did, despite winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
La Pulga was snubbed despite leading his nation to the Copa Amerrica Centenario final, which they lost. The Uruguayan was overlooked despite clinching last season’s Pichichi award.
Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi come fourth and fifth respectively. pic.twitter.com/LZSC6aXlha
— Footy (@Footy) August 5, 2016
This could prove costly for both the South American strikers' chances of receiving a 2016 Ballon d'Or nomination, as competition this year is tough.
Instead, UEFA Euro 2016 superstars Cristiano Ronldo, Gareth Bale, and Antoine Griezmann were nominated for the final three.
#UEFABestPlayer final three
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 5, 2016
Antoine Griezmann, Cristiano Ronaldo & Gareth Bale!
Winner announced 25 August. pic.twitter.com/QJL1glxPtT
Cristiano was an obvious inclusion, as the 31-year-old enjoyed a wonderful season in which he won a third Champions League title – with Real Madrid – before lifting the European Championship crown with Portugal.
Although the three-time Ballon d'Or winner missed most of the final through injury, Ronnie nevertheless proved instrumental in ending his nation's long wait for silverware.
Bale endured an injury-ravaged season, but managed to help Los Blancos win an 11th Champions League title. He then embarked on an unforgettable Euro 2016 campaign with Wales in which he scored 3 goals and guided the Dragons to the semi-finals.
is the criteria wrong or are messi and suarez wrong?
— luto. (@el_teee_) August 5, 2016
How can anyone think Gareth Bale is ANYWHERE close to the level of Messi and Suarez and more deserving? I mean.. I just cant..
— Jad Mbarak (@JadMbarak7) August 5, 2016
Messi aside... Suarez was miles better than Bale and Cristiano combined last season... But whatever... https://t.co/qkgn4J5As0
— Sextuple (@BarcaStat) August 5, 2016
Final three
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@TeamRonaldo) August 5, 2016
Antoine Griezmann, Cristiano Ronaldo & Gareth Bale!
Who's Messi? Who's Suarez?
Normal that Messi isn't nominated imo missed a lot of cl games. But forgetting Suarez there is an insult to football.
— #J (@ElAficionadofcb) August 5, 2016
Griezmann has been through a mixed season, proving to be prolific yet suffering heartbreak twice. First, he missed a penalty in the Champions League final en route to Atletico's loss to their neighbors.
The Frenchman then scored goals for fun in Euro 2016, but drew blanks in the ultimate game. They were eventually defeated by Cristiano and Co. at home.
It wasn't all sad news for the 25-year-old, as he clinched both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball once the European Championship wrapped up.
A heartbroken Antoine Griezmann poses with his Golden Boot award
The winner will be announced later this month, on August 25.
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