Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi fails to make the final three-man shortlist for this year's The Best FIFA Football Awards scheduled to hold in London on Monday, September 24.
The 31-year-old won the La Liga and Copa Del Rey titles last season but crashed out of the FIFA World Cup at round of 16 stage.
However, the Argentine star has been reportedly confirmed for the event despite knowing that he has no chance to win the big prize.
Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo alongside former teammate Luka Modric and Mohammed Salah are the three players shortlisted for the award according to Dailymail.
The five-times Balon d'Or winner will still be in attendance in his first year he has not featured in the top three.
Meanwhile, the Barca star has a chance to be listed in the FIFA XI and his goal at the World Cup against Nigeria is also in the category of best goal of 2018.
He sees attendance as a mark of respect to the other finalists and a sign he is embracing his new role as Barca skipper.
Argentina's current coach Lionel Scaloni will seek out Messi in London on Monday but it appears a decision has already been made for Messi to sit out the next round of matches.
Scaloni will discuss with Messi the possibility that he plays for Argentina again in November but there is a strong possibility he will not return until 2019 - the year when Argentina contest the Copa America in Brazil.
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