Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann announced as the three man shortlist for FIFA BEST player award

The three best players in the world according to FIFA are Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann. 

The three La Liga superstars will vie for the first ever FIFA BEST award in what promises to be a spectacular night in Zurich on the 9th of Jan, 2017. The Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid trio were selected out a list of 23 top stars. 

The most notable absentees from the list are Ronaldo's teammate Gareth Bale, Messi' teammates Luis Suarez, and Neymar, as well as erstwhile PSG and current United force-of-nature Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Cristiano Ronaldo had an outstanding 2016 – winning the UEFA Champions League (his third overall, and second with Real Madrid) and finally breaking his international jinx by helping Portugal break their duck and claim the EURO 2016 crown. He was top scorer in the UEFA Champions League with 16 goals (and also scored the winning penalty in the shootout against rivals Atletico Madrid)

Lionel Messi meanwhile had another fruitful year, guiding his side to a league and cup double – he scored 26 goals in La Liga in what proved to be one of the tightest finishes in recent years. While he couldn't add international glory to his overflowing cabinet, he did captain his nation to the final of the Copa America Centenario – their third final in a major international tournament in so many years. He also notched up yet another personal record – overtaking Gabriel Batistuta as top scorer for La Albiceleste. 

While the two of them were almost sure shots to make the shortlist – they have dominated the world  of football for nearly a decade, pushing each other to their very limits  - it is the identity of the third person that will raise the most eyebrows. 

They oughtn't though. Antoine Griezmann has been sensational this year – truly announcing his arrival on the stage that has been bossed by the likes of Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

He was instrumental in guiding France to the final of the EURO 2016 on home soil – pulling the strings in his role just behind the centre forward. It is role that he has perfected under Diego Simeone – and at Atletico Madrid, the Griezmann had great success, finishing as the club's top scorer and helping them to finish third in a tight La Liga title race, while only narrowly missing out on getting the UEFA Champions League crown – losing it on penalties to Ronaldo's Real Madrid. 

With such stiff competition for the title of the world's BEST footballer, it will be very interesting to see who comes out on top. 

Who do you think deserves it, and why? Tell us in the comments!