Mohamed Salah looked like the runaway leader in the Ballon d'Or poll on France Football's website, but it disappeared after Lionel Messi overtook the African, while Cristiano Ronaldo was in a distant third place.
Read: 8 Stars Snubbed From Ballon d'Or Shortlist
The French publication announced the 30 nominees for this year's Ballon d'Or on Monday, and also launched an online poll for fans to vote for their favourite on their website.
Here is the completed 30-man list of the Ballon d'Or nominees. ?? pic.twitter.com/jHe80rpqRP
— Soccer Laduma (@Soccer_Laduma) October 8, 2018
Salah had raced into the lead within the first 24 hours, sitting comfortably on 50% of the votes, with Messi in second place with 32% and Ronaldo in a distant third with 5%.
However, Messi fans rallied around their superstar and the Argentine overtook Salah in the top spot, receiving 48% of the votes by Wednesday, while Salah dropped to second spot with 31% and Ronaldo stayed in third with 8%.
For some undisclosed reason, though, France Football decided to take their poll down, even though the outcome of the fan vote does not factor into who wins the prize.
Read: Neymar Names His 3 Ballon d'Or Favourites, Snubs Modric
Instead, a "jury of specialised journalists" – there were 176 last year – will now vote for their favourites. Each jury member will select his/her top five players from the 30 nominees, with the first getting six points, second four points, third three points, fourth two points, and fifth option one point.
In the end, all points will be added together, and the winner will be announced on 3 December by France Football.
Who do you think will win this year's Ballon d'Or? Have your say in the comments section below.
