Ballon d'or 2018: The best XI to miss out

Right-back: Joshua Kimmich (Germany/Bayern Munich)

Kimmich came of age last season for Bayern

The Bayern fullback was the secret sauce in his side last season, coming of age to set the league alight. Kimmich was the most creative player in Jupp Hynckes' side after only James Rodriguez and Thomas Muller with 49 chances conjured that includes a league-high of 10 assists. He even struck a goal, but the highlight of his campaign was scoring in both legs of the semi-final tie against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The 23-year old caught eyes with his tremendous speed and peerless energy, but Germany's catastrophic World Cup campaign in Russia means he too had to bare the brunt for it and missed out on the nominations.

Left-back: Jordi Alba (Spain/Barcelona)

Alba has greatly benefited by Neymar's departure

It was a season of revelation for Alba, who thrived in the void left by Neymar after his departure to PSG. Not that he wasn't good anyways, but Alba raised his game by a notch or two and saw off his best club season yet. With 8 assists in La Liga, he was the best supplier among the fullbacks behind only Marcelo and also struck thrice in all competitions.

His link-up with Messi especially was so telepathic as his buccaneering forays to the box made everyone forget Neymar easily. But again, he too is a victim of his national side's poor World Cup campaign and hence misses out.