5 surprising top 3 votes for the Best FIFA Men's Player Award

#3 Eden Hazard (Belgium captain) - Karim Benzema, Kevin De Bruyne and Jorginho

Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga Santander

Eden Hazard's top pick for the Best FIFA Player of the Year Award was his club teammate Karim Benzema. We weren't very surprised by that. But what did surprise us though was that Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo failed to make his top three.

Hazard's second pick was his countryman Kevin De Bruyne. His final vote went to Italy and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho. It looks like Hazard decided to stay loyal to his teammates more than anything here. But it's definitely a bit surpising that he didn't deem Lewandowski or Messi worthy of a place in the top three.

#2 Fernando Santos (Portugal coach) - N'Golo Kante, Jorginho and Robert Lewandowski

Portugal v France - UEFA Euro 2020: Group F

Portugal coach Fernando Santos is among the people who have surprised us with their picks. 2021 was a historic year for Cristiano Ronaldo. He broke Iran's Ali Daei's record for most international goals. Ronaldo also scored five goals in just four appearances at Euro 2020 and won the Golden Boot at the tournament.

The Manchester United man would have needed plenty of luck to pip the competition to the Best FIFA Men's Player of the Year Award. But his own national team coach not voting for him might have caught the 36-year-old by surprise.

Santos' top pick was Chelsea and France midfielder N'Golo Kante followed by Jorginho and Robert Lewandowski.

#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina captain) - Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema

Ballon D'Or : Ceremony At Theatre Du Chatelet In Paris

Lionel Messi was all praise for Robert Lewandowski after winning a record seventh Ballon d'Or in late November. He said:

"I think Robert Lewandowski had a great year. Year after year, he improves and shows the excellent striker he is, as well as his ability to score goals.

"This year he was awarded as the top scorer. Of course he can certainly aspire to that level next year, thanks to his way of being on the pitch. And in addition, he plays for a big club."

Despite all that, Messi didn't deem Lewandowski worthy of a place in his top three. The Argentina international chose Neymar Jr. as his top pick. His second pick was Kylian Mbappe, another club teammate. Messi chose Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema as his third favorite to win the Best FIFA Men's Player Award.

Messi conveniently omitted his closest competitor Robert Lewandowski and eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the voting.