Messi, who is the only player in history to have won the award twice, has missed out to Real Madrid duo Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Antoine Griezmann takes up the last place in the final.
Advertisement
Ronaldo and Bale also helped Champions League victor Real Madrid beat city rival Atletico and Griezmann in the final.
Ronaldo, who will be the favourite for the prestigious award, led Real to their 11th Champions League win before playing a pivotal role in guiding Portugal to their first major global trophy at Euro 2016.
The shortlist for the best player in Europe has been released and it contains a massive shock!
UEFA revealed the trio as their top-three contenders on Friday, with Messi finishing fifth in the voting behind them and Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez. He fired 22 goals in La Liga, and seven more in Atletico Madrid’s run to the Champions League final. Votes were cast by journalists from each of UEFA’s 55 member associations. In addition, he netted three times for Wales during the Euros, helping his country reach the semi-final for the first time in their history. Gianluigi Buffon, Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Pepe were the other players to make an initial 10-man shortlist.
Advertisement
The jury will now vote for their overall victor, which will be announced during the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on 25 August.
