Ronaldo, Messi missing as UEFA reveals nominees for 2021 men’s award

For the second year in a row, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were not included in the final list of nominees for 2020/2021 UEFA men’s player of the year award.

The nominee list was announced on UEFA’s official website on Thursday.

Either of the two football icons had always been present on the list since 2010. They were, however, not nominated despite both players ending last season as the top goal scorer in their respective leagues.

Chelsea FC’s duo of Ngolo Kante and Jorginho alongside Kevin DeBruyne of Manchester City make the final three vying for the award.

Kante was a vital cog in the heart of the Chelsea side that won the UEFA Champions League last season.

He powered them past Real Madrid in the semi-final, outplaying midfield trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro over two legs.

In the final, he also produced a man-of-the-match performance.

Jorginho, on the other hand, was also significant in the Blues conquest of Europe and added another feather to his plummed hat as he inspired Italy to the Euro a few months later.

His contribution has led a handful of fans to believe he should be handed the gong.

DeBruyne is making his second consecutive appearance on the list due to his extraordinary exploits with Man City last season.

The UEFA men’s coach of the year nominees are Thomas Tuchel of Chelsea, Man City’s Pep Guardiola, and Italy’s Roberto Mancini.

Check out the full list below:

Men’s Player of the Year

• Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
• Jorginho (Chelsea)
• N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea)

Women’s Player of the Year

• Jennifer Hermoso (Barcelona)
• Lieke Martens (Barcelona)
• Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Men’s Coach of the Year

• Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
• Roberto Mancini (Italy)
• Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea)

Women’s Coach of the Year

• Lluis Cortés (Barcelona)
• Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden)
• Emma Hayes (Chelsea)

The winners of the awards will be announced on August 26, 2021, in Istanbul, Turkey. Also, the draws for the UEFA 2021-22 Champions League will be announced on the same day.