Topics: UEFA Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Mohamed Salah, Lionel Messi
The Argentine ace made it to the top 10 finalists, but he wasn't close to make to the final list of players that will contend for the award.

Barcelona's lackluster season in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League saw Lionel Messi being dropped from the Player of the Year shortlist. 

After a disappointing quarter-final exit, Los Blaugranas were unable to see their star player joining those that are in line to win the award this year. Messi was named in the list of 10 players that were considered for the prize, but UEFA has revealed today that either Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo or Mohamed Salah will be crowned as the best footballer in Europe for the 2017-18 term.

UEFA considered their performances both with their clubs and their national teams, which boosts Modric's  chances of winning the award, given his key role in Real Madrid's third straight UCL title and his performance in the 2018 World Cup, where he led Croatia to the tournament's second place.

Here's how UEFA revealed the three players that are in line to be crowned as the 2017-18 Player of the Year.