France international striker Antoine Griezmann claimed to be confused about the finalists of the top three of The Best FIFA Men’s Player or FIFA Player of the Year without any players from the 2018 World Cup champions, France.
Griezmann’s absence on the list had also made Atletico Madrid react. They then uploaded Griezmann’s photo with the three trophies he won shortly after the 2018 FIFA Player of the Year finalists’ list was announced. Feeling past the best year of his career, Griezmann was surprised because he was not included as a finalist.
FIFA has announced three names of finalists. From these names candidates such as Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe were not included in the top three. The names of the finalists included Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah.
Previously there were 10 names of candidates besides these three names of the finalists. They are Messi, Kevin De Bruyne, Griezmann, Eden Hazard, Harry Kane, Mbappe, and Raphael Varane.
However, none of the France players who in fact won the 2018 World Cup trophy, entered the FIFA Player of the Year list.
Modric successfully brought Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, but lost to Les Bleus in the final match. While Ronaldo is only able to boost Portugal until the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup. Salah could not even bring Egypt into the knockout stage of the competition and only held the key interpreter in Group A.
Unlike Modric, Ronaldo and Salah’s achievements are not classy at the national team level this year. They actually shine to defend their respective clubs.
Call it Ronaldo who is able to bring Real Madrid Champions League winners three times in a row. Even with Salah who successfully drove Liverpool to the final of the European continent elite club competition.
Griezmann admitted that he was confused by the criteria chosen by the panelists to determine the top three candidates who won the FIFA Best Player award.
“As I have said in the previous interview, it is unfortunate that none of the [players] of the world champions have been included in the candidates [the top three] even though the award was from FIFA.”
“I don’t know the criteria. We have won a very important thing, the World Cup. It’s the best prize you can win. We are still happy even though none of us won the award,” said Griezmann quoted by Marca.
The most prestigious individual award for players is the Ballon d’Or. Previously, Griezmann had entered the top three Ballon d’Or winners in 2016 but was unable to compete with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I think I’m getting closer (to win it). The Ballon d’Or is a prestigious and top award for every player. Nothing is higher,” Griezmann said.
“It’s not unfair (if I don’t win), but I will wonder what else I have to do. I’ve got the trophy and decided on key moments. But again I didn’t get the vote,” he said.
