FIFA's 'The Best': Nominee Overview

FIFA's 'The Best' is all set to take place on Monday, the 24th of September at London's Royal festival hall, hosting a stellar audience as it always has.

Fans, journalists, national team coaches, captains, as well as FIFA legends are the group of voters for the award.

Cristiano Ronaldo stands as the only player to have won the award so far, having won it twice. This year, however, the contest seems a bit more interesting.

After featuring a 10 man shortlist with the likes of the most enthralling players in Europe, the final 3 nominees were cut down to Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah and Luka Modric.

With no doubt regarding all of the previous 10 nominees finishing with spectacular seasons, how deserving were the final 3 to get nominated above the rest?

Let's walk through the case of each of the 3 nominees individually:

1. Mohamed Salah

Salah after finding the net against Man City in the UCL Quarters

Mohamed Salah set the bar higher last season as he broke the Premier League record for most goals scored in a single 38 game season, scoring 32, over the previous 31 set by Alan Shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luis Suárez. Furthermore, his dominance in the Premier League coupled with the UEFA Champions League last season, being decisive against Manchester City and Roma played the major factor in his nomination.

Arguably the best player in the Premier League last season, many question the consistency that Salah would carry with him this season. Many consider him to turn out to be a 'one season wonder'. Having said that, his World Cup was short-lived as well. Nonetheless, it wouldn't be considered logical to blame him for the exit of Egypt who by far wasn't a major contender, and he only played two games due to his shoulder injury sustained in the UCL final and added two goals.

Another key point to remember is that trophies play a huge part in the nomination of players for individual awards and although Salah couldn't manage to get his hand on any silverware, his nomination is understandable considering the way he blinded us in awe throughout his 17/18 spell.

2. Luka Modric

Luka Modric, four-time European Champion

Luka Modric proved that statistics are a huge part of football, but not everything. Not too many goals, not too many assists, but Modric's consistent midfield dominance was a key factor to Real Madrid's Champions League glory as well as Croatia's magnificent World cup campaign.

Anyone who actually watched him play would agree that Modric's nomination was completely deserving. Regardless of being brilliant in the past as well, it was this year that gave Modric what he deserved and revealed his true worth, a third consecutive UCL title, and a World Cup final, albeit ending up as a runner-up. Madrid's number 10 has been mesmerizing us with his dazzling performances since as long as we can remember.

After winning the Golden Ball at the World Cup along with the UEFA POTY, Modric seems like the favorite to get his hands on 'The Best' as well. But it feels impossible to pinpoint exactly what makes his game so brilliant. His technical quality, his passes, just the way he moves the ball around the pitch is pleasing to watch.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo celebrating his hat-trick against Spain at the 2018 World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo stands as the only player to have won the award till date. After the 'UEFA Player Of The Year' disappointment on losing out to Luka Modric, Ronaldo will be keen on winning this one.

Having played his part, being critical in the group stage and decisive in the earlier knockout stages in the UEFA Champions League, bagging three important goals against PSG, scoring 'that' goal against Juventus and two more, and retaining the title of UCL top scorer, Cristiano's season was defined by important UCL games which overshadow his below-par performance (by his standards), in many league matches.

Ronaldo has the statistics on his side (44 goals in 44 matches last season and top goalscorer in 2018 with 36). Purely on numbers, you're bound to hail Ronaldo after taking a look at his numbers for performing at this level despite being 33. However, Ronaldo's performances weren't up to the mark in the majority of the games. That being said, Ronaldo faced his share of up's and downs this season along with the incoming criticism but he made sure he did what he does best, reminding the world how dominant he is in the big stage.

Notwithstanding, even at 33, Ronaldo continues to maintain himself like he's still in his early twenties, scoring a myriad of goals this season just like any previous season, bossing it on the European stage, and doing great at the World Cup as well (4 goals in 4 games). Being the second highest scorer in La Liga last season, netting 26 and being the top scorer in the UCL, Ronaldo has proved that although he isn't in his prime anymore, he's far from finished.

Madrid's brilliance in the deeper rounds, even without a great Ronaldo, handed them the UCL, their third title in a row. Ronaldo managed to cover up perfectly for his and the team's League performances by his breath-taking performances in, particularly important Champions league games.

The UCL title overshadows all other silverware. Factors like these play a massive part despite 'The Best' is an individual award. It would, therefore, be fitting to include Ronaldo in the top 3 and consider him likely to win the award again.