Tite believes Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2016 honour and has explained why Lionel Messi would not make his top three.

“Messi’s the best in the world, but this year, Ronaldo has been the best,” the Brazil coach told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper. “For his triumphs, Cristiano’s year has been better.

“In second, Neymar, and in third, Griezmann. I left Messi out because he was injured a lot. Cristiano is direct, is fascinated with the goal. Messi is playful, creative.”

Ronaldo helped Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League and Portugal win the UEFA EURO this year. The 31-year-old is hoping to fire his club to FIFA Club World Cup glory in December.

Ronaldo, Messi, Griezmann and Neymar are among the 23 players in the running for The Best FIFA Men’s Player. 50 per cent of the vote will be determined by the head coaches and captains of the world’s national teams. The remaining 50 per cent will be split between an online public ballot, which has now concluded, and a selected group of 200-plus media representatives.

The winner will be crowned at The Best FIFA Football Awards™ ceremony in Zurich on 9 January 2017.