To the surprise of many, there will be no Lionel Messi at the World Footballer Of The Year awards for the first time in many years.
Messi did not make the top 3, he didn’t even make the top 4 as he was bumped to 5th by team-mate Luis Suarez.
The top 3 are fierce rivals Christiano Ronaldo, Real team-mate Gareth Bale and French maestro, Antoine Griezmann.
Ronaldo is the bookmakers’ choice to win it with a Champions League and a European Championship to his name to cap off a stellar season.
Gareth Bale also won the Champions League and made it to the Semi-Final of Euro 2016 only to be bungled out by Ronaldo and co.
And last but not least, Griezmann who had a lovely personal season, but heartbreaking from a team point of view. He was Atletico’s best player scoring goals for fun and being rewarded with a new bumper contract. he did lose the Champions league final to bitter rivals Real Madrid.
He also made the final of Euro 2016 after a lovely tournament but also lost out in the final to winners Portugal.
Gianluigi Buffon, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Pepe were the other players to make up the top ten.
The winner will be announced on August 25, the day of the draw for the Champions League group stage.