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Cristiano Ronaldo to stay in Italy rather than attend FIFA awards

Watch FIFA Best Awards live on Sky Sports Main Event as Gary Neville joins Kelly Cates in London

Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo looks on during the Italian Serie A football match AC Chievo vs Juventus at the Marcantonio-Bentegodi stadium in Verona on August 18, 2018
Image: Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for Juventus' game against Bologna on Wednesday

Cristiano Ronaldo will not be attending tonight's FIFA Best Awards in London, despite being the favourite to win Player of the Year.

The Portuguese forward played and scored during Juventus' win over Frosinone on Sunday night and is expected to start against Bologna on Wednesday.

Who will win the FIFA player of the year award?
Image: Ronaldo will compete with Mohamed Salah and Luka Modric for the top FIFA award

And it is understood Ronaldo has decided to stay in Italy to focus on his club games, rather than attend the awards - live on Sky - where he could potentially win his sixth World Player of the Year honour.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid's Luka Modric, Ronaldo's challengers for the award, are expected to attend the ceremony at Royal Festival Hall.

Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to his red card during the UEFA Champions League, group H football match against Valencia
Image: Ronaldo was sent off in the Champions League last week

Ronaldo has enjoyed another very successful year, helping Real Madrid to Champions League glory for the third year in a row, before joining Serie A champions Juventus in the summer.

But he faces stiff competition from Modric, who was named Player of the Tournament after helping Croatia reach the final, and Salah, who won the Premier League Golden Boot after a remarkable campaign with Liverpool.

Also See:

Who will win? Watch the FIFA Best Awards build-up from 7pm on Sky Sports Main Event and watch the awards ceremony - featuring Gary Neville and Kelly Cates - from 7.30pm.

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