Puyol: 'It's weird Messi wasn't nominated'

Messi has won the award five times previously, but this year he wasn't even chosen for the shortlist.

Instead, Luka Modric took the gong, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah made up the rest of the top three.

Puyol did not begrudge Modric the award, but he believed Messi deserved praise for his performances.

Speaking to 'Goal', Puyol said: "It's weird Leo is not on the list. I don't have any doubt that Leo is the best in the world."

"You never know what they analyse for these individual awards. We must respect it, but football people know absolutely who is the best.

"[Modric] is a great player who had a very good season but for me the best is Messi.

"Congratulations for Modric. Leo can't always win. Otherwise, we should create an award for him and another for the rest."