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FC Barcelona Reveal Why Lionel Messi Snubs FIFA Gala, Has Cristiono Ronaldo Won?

FC Barcelona Reveal Why Lionel Messi Snubs FIFA Gala, Has Cristiono Ronaldo Won?

Ronaldo & Messi

FC Barcelona have released a statement explaining why FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year nominee Lionel Messi will not travel to the awards gala. Does this mean Cristiano Ronaldo will win the award?

Click through the mini-gallery to see which Barca stars won't attend the FIFA awards gala.

The Catalan giants released an official statement on their website, saying none of the club's players will travel to Zurich as they will preparing for their crucial Copa del Rey clash on Wednesday instead.

"With the aim of prioritising preparations for Wednesday's game against Athletic Club, FC Barcelona have decided that the players recognised in the Gala The Best FIFA Awards, which takes place on Monday in Zurich, will not be travelling to Switzerland for the ceremony,

"The Club's delegation is led by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, sporting vice president Jordi Mestre, director Silvio Elias, CEO Oscar Grau, Albert Soler (director of professional sports), Robert Fernandez (first team technical secretary) and Raul Sanllehi (director of football).

"FC Barcelona thank FIFA, its president Gianni Infantino and the executive structure for the organisation's help in being able to take part in today's Gala. The Club expresses their recognition and support for the Best FIFA Awards."

Barca lost the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie against Athletic Bilbao 2-1, and will have to beat them in the return fixture on Wednesday to reach the next round.

Soccer Laduma's Joe Crann will be at The Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich on Monday, courtesy of Spree.co.za.

This means neither Messi nor Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta or Luis Suarez, who are expected to be in the FIFA FIFPro World XI, will attend the gala.

It could be seen as an indication that Messi's rival Ronaldo, who already lifted France Football's Ballon d'Or in December, will be named 2016 FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year as the Catalan giants previously arranged private jets for their players to return after the gala.

Do you understand Barca's decision? Have your say in the comments section below.

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