The Best FIFA Men's Player 2019: Top 5 contenders for the award - July 2019

#3 Bernardo Silva (Portugal, Manchester City)

Bernardo Silva was adjudged the UEFA Nations League Player of the tournament

Talk about having an impact. Bernardo Silva was brought to Manchester City as an understudy to David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne.

The Portuguese, though, only needed a chance to show his expertise with the ball and that arrived last season. When Kevin de Bruyne, easily City's midfield maestro from the previous season, was injured in the very first game of the 2018/19 season, the future looked dark for Pep Guardiola's team.

Up stepped Bernardo Silva and by the end of the season, City would have forgotten about de Bruyne.

The Portuguese was easily City's player of the season and he had a defining impact both from the midfield as well as a part of the front three in attack. Silva was key as City defending their title from a fierce onslaught from Liverpool and also completed a domestic treble.

But Bernardo Silva was not the one to rest on his laurels. After the end of the season, he carried forward his form in the UEFA Nations League and guided Portugal to glory.

Such was his impact that he was selected as the Player of the Tournament ahead of Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

As a result of his recent form, Bernardo Silva enters this list for the first time and is third among the top contenders for the Best FIFA Men's Player Award at the start of July.