FIFA hosted their inaugural 'The Best' awards on Monday in a swanky gala from Zurich, Switzerland, with footballing royalty in attendance. Though there was a notable omission; FC Barcelona.
The likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar as well Luis Suarez snubbed the awards. The club went on the record saying they were preparing for their Copa del Rey game against Athletic Bilbao. The club issued an official statement regarding their absence;
"With the aim of prioritising the preparation of Wednesday's match against Athletic Club, FC Barcelona has decided that players recognised for 'The Best' FIFA Awards, held this afternoon in Zurich, will not attend.
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Barcelona is thankful to FIFA and the president Gianni Infantino, but they consider important the game against Athletic Club and they want their players to rest.
But it was believed that the Barca players were unhappy with the governing bodies decision to name Ronaldo with the best player of 2016 gong.
And according to La Nacion, the outlet have revealed the 'real reason' by claiming Suarez made it abundantly clear he was set to give the event a miss from the get go because he still harbours a grudge with FIFA. While adding; "FIFA also seems to have a negative attitude towards the Uruguayan."
It dates back to the 2014 World Cup, where the Uruguayan sensationally sunk his teeth into Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. As a result, FIFA slapped him with a ban preventing the ex-Liverpool man from making his Barca debut.
Suarez still feels he was harshly treated with hence rejecting the night. And it seems that FIFA had a sneaky way to respond to his absence by using THIS picture of him:
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Interesting choice of picture, FIFA.
(H/T 101 Great Goals)
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