Lionel Messi WILL be at FIFA's Best awards in London despite Barcelona star being overlooked for three-man shortlist of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah.
Lionel Messi will be in London on Monday for The Best FIFA Football Awards, despite knowing before hand that he is not going to win the big prize.
Messi was overlooked when the three-man shortlist of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohammed Salah was announced.
But the five-times Balon d'Or winner will still be in attendance in his first year he has not featured in the top three.
Messi can still win a place in the FIFA XI and his goal at the World Cup against Nigeria is also in the category of best goal of 2018.
The 31-year-old Argentine sees attendance as a mark of respect to the other finalists and a sign he is embracing his new role as Barça skipper.
His commitment to the club was also reflected in his decision not to go on international duty last week. And it appears he will also not make himself available for the next round of Argentina matches.
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.