Europe's footballer of the year: Lewandowski is spurned in the top 3 - Bayern fans go wild

Robert Lewandowski will not be able to defend his title as European Footballer of the Year.

The Pole is missing from the UEFA shortlist.

Munich - A player from FC Bayern has already been able to claim the title of “European Footballer of the Year” twice, since it was re-awarded by UEFA under a new name in 2011.

Franck Ribery received the award after Munich's triple win in the 2012/13 season.

Last year, after Bayern's second triple, the title went to Robert Lewandowski, who was also able to win the title of world footballer at the end of the year.

Lewandowski: Finalists for “Europe's Footballer of the Year” published - Pole gets nothing

And, as is well known, the exceptional Polish striker never stopped scoring goals last season.

Not least with his 41 Bundesliga players, with whom Lewandowski was able to trump Gerd Müller's record, the goalgetter caused a sensation worldwide.

It is therefore all the more astonishing that Lewandowski will not defend his title as “Europe's Footballer of the Year”.

UEFA announced the shortlist for the awards ceremony on Thursday.

You won't find the Bayern striker in the list.

Instead, UEFA shortlisted three players who had reached the Champions League final with their teams.

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City and the two Chelsea players N'golo Kante and Jorginho.

In addition to the CL trophy with Chelsea, the latter was also able to secure the European title with Italy.

In addition to Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are also missing on the shortlist.

The two exceptional footballers have won the award two or three times so far.

Last year Messi and Ronaldo were shortlisted for the first time since 2011.

Bayern fans angry about non-nomination - "And Lewandowski plays tennis?"

The passing of Lewandowski despite 41 goals this season in the Bundesliga caused displeasure, especially among fans of FC Bayern after the announcement.

"Imagine you score over 40 goals and are not nominated," wonders a user on Instagram.

“And Lewandowski plays tennis?” Jokes another user, looking at the selection.

"What else can he do but break a decade-old record?" Asks a third user.

Europe's footballer of the year: Tuchel with a chance of receiving a coaching award

In the shortlist for coach of the year, in addition to Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) and Roberto Mancini (Italy), there is also the German Thomas Tuchel, who led Chelsea to its second CL title. In the women’s category, the award for female footballer of the year definitely goes to a player from FC Barcelona. Jennifer Hermoso, Lieke Martens and Alexia Putellas (all from FC Barcelona) are shortlisted. Lluis Cortes (FC Barcelona), Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden) and Emma Hayes (FC Chelsea) compete for the coaching award in women's football.