Barcelona attackers Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are omitted as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann make the cut for UEFA’s Best Player in Europe award.
UEFA announced on Friday, via their official website, that Real Madrid duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale and Atletico Madrid talisman Antoine Griezmann are the final three nominees for the 2015/16 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.
Luis Suarez, who probably had the best season of his career, did not make the cut – finishing in fourth position – while his Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, a two time winner, came a surprising fifth.
Take Our PollThis announcement caused chaos on social media:
If Suarez didn’t bite anyone he’d have 1 UEFA award by now and at least 2nd in the BdO(of either 2014 or 2015)
— Ahmad (@ChieflySarcastc) August 5, 2016
But this year Bale makes it after scoring 0 goals, and finishes above Messi and Suarez. Aboslute disgrace. Propaganda at its best.
— Josip (@jperkovic93) August 5, 2016
Luis Suarez’s La Liga by numbers last season:
35 games
55 chances created
40 goals
16 assistsNot shortlisted. https://t.co/ah6fGEC5x5
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 5, 2016
Bale makes the Uefa final three but Suarez doesn’t. No offense to the man but Suarez had a much better season
— Pro Shadow Boxer (@LoyalSpurs) August 5, 2016
Messi aside… Suarez was miles better than Bale and Cristiano combined last season… But whatever… https://t.co/qkgn4J5As0
— Sextuple (@BarcaStat) August 5, 2016
Last year Neymar was a CL topscorer (along with Messi and CR) and won the treble. He didn’t even make it into top 3 of this award.
— Josip (@jperkovic93) August 5, 2016
Goals + assists in 2015/16:
Suarez 84
Ronaldo 66
Messi 64
Griezmann 47
Bale 34Suarez and Messi not nominated for UEFA player of the year
— London Gooner (@LondonGoona) August 5, 2016
UEFA selection for best player for the last year nomination is some joke. Unfair to Messi and of course Suarez.
— Roy (@713Roy) August 5, 2016
That UEFA best player award just lost all credibility, Messi and Suarez should be 1 and 2 don’t even make the cut ha ha bantz
— KB (@KBSahota) August 5, 2016
Suarez is still massively underrated. Bale scored 0 goals in the CL last season and he makes the top 3 ahead of Suarez and Messi.
— Max (@Sefendo) August 5, 2016
UEFA Shortlist:
Ronaldo
Bale
Griezzmann
No Messi or Suarez, 40+ goals and 50+ goals plus two titles pic.twitter.com/V75ZaXQjGj— Total Football (@BlaugranaSnacks) August 5, 2016
Messi and Suarez not shortlisted for best player in Europe. Looks like UEFA only watched the Euros this year.
— عَــبـدُالــرحـمـٰـن (@TheJawi1) August 5, 2016
The first player to destroy Messi and Ronaldo in numbers since 2008 and gets no recognition.
Luis Suarez. Unfair. pic.twitter.com/QEmCSUPgeR
— infosmessi (@Infosmessi_) August 5, 2016
A “finished” Cristiano Ronaldo is a top 3 in Uefa best player award but a prime Suarez isn’t.
— Abk (@abkCrizil) August 5, 2016
The three UEFA Best Player in Europe Award nominees are:
Bale
Ronaldo
Griezmann#UEFA #POTYA pic.twitter.com/4Es7oxBFba— Onefootball (@Onefootball) August 5, 2016