Cristiano Ronaldo's rescue missions for Manchester United and Mohamed Salah's heroics for Liverpool put them ahead of Lionel Messi in the team of the year, Rio Ferdinand has argued – adding that Robert Lewandowski was 'robbed' of a Ballon d'Or.
Former United and England stalwart Ferdinand has been passionately explaining his surprising selections for the FIFA Team of the Year, naming three Chelsea stars and a trio of Manchester City teammates among his choices.
Little more than a month after Paris Saint-Germain hitman Messi won a record seventh Ballon d'Or, though, one of the men who tried to stop him during his phenomenal goalscoring feats for former club Barcelona has argued that Ronaldo's arch-rival is not worthy of making the team of the year.