Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he was surprised none of his players were featured in the nominees for Best Fifa Football Awards.
The list that was announced earlier this week included five players from the Premier League - but none from the champions.
Speaking ahead of the Community Shield at Wembley where the Citizens take on Liverpool, Guardiola said, “it’s a little surprising for us because they were incredible last season. We won four titles but we were not able to be in it, not even once. Maybe because it’s seven games, for this award it’s seven games. Quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals.
“When you win the Champions League you will be there. The other 10 or 11 months don’t count for this kind of award. It is what it is. Maybe we have to win five titles? Or maybe six? Maybe we need 250 points to be considered to be there next season? We are going to try.”
“I don’t think one player made a better season than Bernardo Silva last season, winning with Portugal. This club in eight years has won four Premier Leagues, so it’s quite remarkable. Never in these four seasons was one of our players nominated for the best. Never.
“We don’t have the history behind us but maybe in the future, people will think about this club. In eight years, winning the Premier League four times is good but never one player – not Sergio, David, Vincent, Yaya – the players in the past were never suggested.”
Full men's player shortlist
Virgil van Dijk, Netherlands
Sadio Mane, Senegal
Mohamed Salah, Egypt
Harry Kane, England
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Lionel Messi, Argentina
Matthijs de Ligt, Netherlands
Frenkie de Jong, Netherlands
Kylian Mbappe, France
Eden Hazard, Belgium
