Staggering social media impact of Ronaldo Juventus transfer revealed

For the first time in 11 years, Argentina Captain, Lionel Messi is not among the three players shortlisted by FIFA for the Best Football Awards.

Federation Internationale de Football Association has just released the shortlist of the 2018 men’s player of the year award, nominating Cristiano Ronaldo alongside Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah.

Ronaldo, Modric and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah all will be hoping to add this reputable award to their bags.

He went on to score an astonishing 450 goals in 438 games for the Spanish giants over the next nine years, winning four European Cups and the same number of Ballon d’Or awards.

Messi has won the Player of the Year award five times and been runner-up on six occasions.

Ronaldo helped Real Madrid claim a third consecutive Champions League crown before securing a transfer to Juventus.

The goal in question, which he scored while playing for A-League outfit Newcastle Jets, really does have to be seen to be believed.

Salah has been a revelation for Liverpool, scoring 43 goals in all competitions last season for the Reds and helping to fire Jurgen Kloop’s side to the Champions League final, where he was forced off after suffering a shoulder injury.

“[But] it’s evident that the absence of Ronaldo makes them less good and makes Juventus [one of the] clear favourites to win the Champions League”.

The Portuguese superstar completed a shock summer switch to join the Serie A champions after the World Cup.

Messi says Madrid have been left weakened by Ronaldo’s departure and this season “it is time” Barca won the Champions League again.

Leo Messi finished last season with the most goals, most assists, most dribbles, most chances created and most MOTM awards.

Meanwhile, France’s World Cup winning manager Didier Deschamps, Zlatko Dalic and Zinedine Zidane are also nominated as the finalists for FIFA’s coach of the year award on Monday.

Messi also out-crafted the Croatian 121 to 60 in terms of chances created, while Ronaldo set up 54 chances.