FIFA’s The Best awards took place in London on Monday evening and many of the world’s greatest footballers were in attendance.

However, the two best players of their generation, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, were conspicuous by their absence.

When the FIFPro World XI was named towards the end of the evening, nine of the selected star players stood proudly on the stage to collect their awards, but two trophies - belonging to Ronaldo and Messi - were left there without an owner.

The event subsequently felt a little hollow. Ronaldo reportedly wasn’t in attendance because Juventus have a game against Bologna on Wednesday.

Messi, meanwhile, was expected to travel to London but pulled out at late notice due to family reasons, according to Mundo Deportivo.

However, eyebrows have been raised because this is the first year since 2007 that neither player has won FIFA’s main individual award.

Both Ronaldo and Messi have never had trouble attending the event in the past - and it seems a little coincidental that neither player managed to make it this time around.

Messi knew he stood no chance of winning the main award after failing to make the three-man shortlist.

Meanwhile, sources in Spain prior to Monday knew Modric had already won the coveted individual accolade - so you have to wonder whether this played a role in Ronaldo’s decision to stay in Turin.

Some people felt the duo’s absence was disrespectful to their peers - and veteran Italian coach Fabio Capello did not beat around the bush with his comments about the pair.

"Ronaldo and Messi's absence is disrespectful to their fellow players, to FIFA and to the football world," Capello told Television Española after the ceremony, per AS.

"Maybe they've won too much and have [too great] a dislike of losing.

“In life you have to know how to win and lose."

Hard words from Capello who, to be fair, has a point.

It’s hard not to be suspicious about the real reasons behind both Ronaldo and Messi’s decision not to attend the event.

But their absence seems a little unfair on those who deservedly won awards at the ceremony, including Real Madrid’s Luka Modric.

"Everyone has their own reasons," Modric said, per Goal.

"Obviously, I would have liked them to be here but they aren't."