Mestre: 'Scandalous' Messi and Suarez not on shortlist for UEFA award

Messi and Suarez were not among the three finalists for the award, with Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, and Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann selected.

Published : Aug 07, 2016 07:47 IST

Barcelona duo Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi scored 59 goals and 41 goals respectively last season.
Barcelona duo Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi scored 59 goals and 41 goals respectively last season.
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Barcelona duo Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi scored 59 goals and 41 goals respectively last season.

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre said the Spanish champion is "very disappointed and angry" with UEFA's decision to overlook Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez for the Best Player in Europe Award, branding the pair's snub as "scandalous".

Messi and Suarez were not among the three finalists for the award, with Real Madrid duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, and Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann selected.

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi placed fifth, behind team-mate Suarez, leading Mestre to hit out at UEFA.

"It doesn't seem the right decision to me at all," Mestre told TV3.

"I don't know what criteria UEFA applied, with all respect to the chosen winners, but I disagree [with the choices].

"That our players aren't there, such as Suarez or Messi, is scandalous.

"The club are very disappointed and angry."

Messi starred against as Barca successfully retained its LaLiga crown in 2015-16, scoring 41 goals in all competitions - 26 of those in the league.

Suarez, meanwhile, netted an incredible 40 LaLiga goals and 59 in total last term.

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