Lionel Messi left OUT of L'Equipe's team of 2020 after tough year

Lionel Messi is left OUT of L’Equipe’s team of 2020 after a tough year at Barcelona as Cristiano Ronaldo partners Robert Lewandowski… with Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold among four current Premier League stars included

French outlet L’Equipe have chosen their best eleven for the past twelve months
Lionel Messi has been left out after enduring a torrid year for Barcelona
The team has a heavy influence of Bayern Munich’s treble winning squad
Four Premier League stars are included in the squad selected by the newspaper

Lionel Messi was the notable absentee from a 2020 world eleven selected by French news outlet L’Equipe.

The Barcelona superstar endured a miserable year, as his side lost out in the LaLiga title race, were humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and even tried to get a move away from the Nou Camp.

Despite his difficulties with the club on and off the pitch, he still scored a mightily impressive 31-goals in all competitions last season.

L’Equipe have chosen a host of Bayern Munich stars in their world eleven for the last 12 months

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been left out after he endured a horrid 2020 with Barcelona

Liverpool were represented by league winners Virgil van Dijk and Trent-Alexander Arnold

However he was ousted by long-time Ballon D’or rival Cristiano Ronaldo who bettered him with 37 goals for Juventus, and newly crowned FIFA Men’s Player of the year Robert Lewandowski who netted an astonishing 55 times in 47 appearances for Bayern Munich.

The Bundesliga and Champions League winners have a huge influence on the selection with five stars of their treble winning team making the selection.

Though the Premier League also has its part to play, with four players making the squad.

In a 4-4-2 formation, L’Equipe decided to choose Manuel Neuer as goalkeeper ahead of other notable contenders such as Liverpool’s Alisson.

Across the back, they went with 20-year-old wonderkid Alphonso Davies, Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, and Liverpool pair Virgil van Dijk and Trent-Alexander Arnold.

Joshua Kimmich and former Bayern and current Liverpool star Thiago make up the centre of midfield with Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar out on the left and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne out of position on the right.

The eleven chosen as part of L’Equipe’s team of the year from the past 12 months

Messi and Barcelona finished second in LaLiga and were humiliated in the Champions League

Messi was left out thanks to Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal-scoring form

The 2020-21 season looks like it could be another frustrating one for Messi and Barcelona as they sit ten points off leaders Atletico Madrid in the LaLiga title race, having played one game more.

Barcelona have advanced to the second round of the Champions League where they will have the tricky task of beating French champions PSG.

Messi’s contract is up at the end of the season, and the 33-year-old can speak to other clubs about a potential move if he decides to exit the Nou Camp.

Manchester City, Barca’s Champions League opponents PSG, and David Beckham’s Inter Miami, are all believed to be keen on signing the legendary Argentinian.

In UEFA’s separate annual team of the year, Messi has not missed out on the eleven since 2007.