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FIFA shortlists Messi, Salah, Lewandowski for 2021 best player award; Ronaldo not listed

Ronaldo misses out as Messi, Salah and Lewandoski were shortlisted for Best Men’s Player award for the year 2021.

• January 8, 2022
Mo Salah, Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi
Mo Salah, Robert Lewandowski and Lionel Messi

FIFA has shortlisted Argentina star, Lionel Messi, Egyptian striker Mo Salah and Polish attacker Robert Lewandowski as the last three players for the Best Men’s Player award for the year 2021.

The apex football organisation disclosed this via it official Twitter handle on Friday.

Portugal and Manchester United talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, could not make it into the last three players for the prestigious award which winner will be announced on January 17.

Seven-time Ballon d’or winner, Messi, who won Copa America 2021, emerging joint top scorer of the competition with 4 goals, will be looking forward to winning 2021 FIFA award.

Also, Lewandowski, who won the previous edition, beating Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to the prestigious prize, is a strong contender for the award. Lewandowski has been in good form scoring for his Bundesliga side, Bayern München.

Hopefully, Salah, who came third in 2018 behind Ronaldo and the winner, Luka Modrić, will win this edition of the FIFA award. Salah netted 26 goals in the year under review for Liverpool and is the only African in recent time to make the list.

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