Football governing body in Europe, UEFA, today, August 5, 2015 released the top three shortlists for the 2015/2016 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.
According to UEFA, the top three players in Europe last season were Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as well as Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann.
Surprisingly, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, who won the award for a second time last year, was in the fifth position.
Below is the list of the initial top 10 contenders:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal)
2. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid & Wales)
3. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid & France)
4. Luis Suárez (Barcelona & Uruguay)
5. Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)
6. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy)
7. Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal)
8. Manuel Neuer (Bayern München & Germany)
9. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany)
10. Thomas Müller (Bayern München & Germany)
The winner will be announced during the 2016/2017 UEFA Champions League draws in Monaco on Thursday 25 August.
Journalists from Uefa’s 55 member associations will vote for their best player.
Past editions have been won by Lionel Messi (2011, 2015), Andrés Iniesta (2012), Franck Ribéry (2013) and Ronaldo (2014).
