Mohamed Salah was named in the three man shortlist for FIFA Men’s player of the year award for the first time alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Luca Modric winner of the UEFA player of the year award.

Liverpool and Egypt forward Salah has also impeccable credentials as a potential winner of the award.

Salah enjoyed a record-breaking first season with Liverpool as his goals propelled Jurgen Klopp’s to the Champions League final and set a host of individual club landmarks.

Lionel Messi was left off the shortlist for the FIFA’s men’s player of the year award on Monday as his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo .

Messi has dominated the award along with Ronaldo over the past decade, but the Barcelona star has been omitted from the contenders list for the first time since 2006.

Messi and Ronaldo, the world’s two best players, have been engaged in a fascinating duel for the sport’s top individual and club honours for over a decade.

Between them, Messi and Ronaldo have won the Champions League nine times and have a combined 14 domestic league titles.

Now Messi’s absence from the shortlist opens the way for Ronaldo, also a five-time winner of the award, to move ahead in their personal battle.

Portugal forward Ronaldo lifted a fourth Champions League title in five years in May before joining Italian champions Juventus in July.

The 33-year-old won the player of the year crown in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

Joining Ronaldo on the shortlist is his former Real team-mate Modric, who enjoyed a superb season for club and country.