Forward of Barcelona Lionel Messi and Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since 2007 will not get into the top three contenders for the Golden Ball-2018.

This opinion is held by the authoritative Italian editions Gazzeta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport and La Stampa..

Journalists believe that the top three nominees will be Luka Modric, Raphael Varan (both - Real Madrid) and Kilian Mbappa (PSG).

Add that Modric this year became the winner of the Champions League in the “cream”. Mbappe triumphant on the championship with the French team. And Varanu obeyed both of these achievements.

The winner of the "Golden Ball" will be announced on December 3 in Paris.

Recall, it became known that Cristiano Ronaldo is not going to attend the award ceremony.