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.

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.

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.