The two most expensive players in the world were unable to outshine the prolific Erling Braut Haaland as the Norwegian sensation continued his remarkable rise by scoring both goals in Borussia Dortmund's 2-1 defeat of Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, who has been struggling with a recurring thigh problem, has been replaced in the squad by Borussia Moenchengladbach forward Alassane Plea.
Lionel Messi has become the first player to win Europe’s Golden Shoe award for three straight years after his nearest challenger Kylian Mbappe failed to score the four goals he needed in Paris St Germain’s final league match of the season on Friday.
The French Football Federation said they had also opened disciplinary proceedings against Neymar for striking a Rennes' fan following the shock defeat on penalties after extra time.
Mbappe scored one and set up two more as the reigning world champions crushed Iceland 4-0 at the Stade de France to move top of Group H in Euro 2020 qualifying.
Here, AFP Sport takes a look at 10 sporting highlights from the last 12 months.
Six members of the France side that triumphed in Russia are among the 30 nominees for the award, which is organised by France Football magazine and voted for by 180 journalists from around the world.
Mbappe and Neymar both suffered injuries playing in international friendly matches last week, and watched Saturday's 1-0 home win over Toulouse from the stands.
Ronaldo, who has won the award for the last two years, helped Real Madrid claim a third consecutive Champions League crown before securing a close season transfer to Juventus.
The victory has helped foster a sense of national unity, with commentators playing up the fact the squad includes many with central and north African heritage.
The 19-year-old from Bondy, on the gritty north-east outskirts of Paris, has provided it with his terrifying pace, superb touch and clinical finishing in ample evidence.
Nineteen-year-old Mbappe scored two goals in the Argentina game, becoming the first teenager since Brazilian great Pele in the 1958 final to score two goals in one World Cup match.
Kylian Mbappe’s 34th-minute goal took him past David Trezeguet’s record (20) as France’s youngest scorer in the competition, at 19 years of age.
France start their campaign in Group C against Australia in Kazan on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe and the Ousmane Dembele supporting Antoine Griezmann up front.
Eight stars to watch at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Mbappe has emerged as a hot property after scoring 27 goals in all competitions to lead Monaco to the Ligue 1 title.
