August 5 – UEFA have unveiled their final three nominations for the Gareth Bale, Antoine Griezmann and Cristiano Ronaldo – all three play for Madrid clubs and had outstanding European Championship performances for their countries this summer.
They will now go forward to the final jury vote which will take place during the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco, August 25.
The final three come from an initial list drawn from journalists from UEFA 55 member associations who selected their five best players. The ten players with the most points then went through to a second vote,
Ronaldo has won the award before (2014). Previous winners are Lionel Messi (2011 and 2015), Andres Iniesta (2012) and Franck Ribery (2013).
The other players and their positions in the final 10 vote were:
4 Luis Suárez (Barcelona & Uruguay) – 29 points
5 Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) – 25
6 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy) – 19
7 Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal) – 9
8 Manuel Neuer (Bayern München & Germany) – 6
9 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany) – 5
10 Thomas Müller (Bayern München & Germany) – 2
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714254704labto1714254704ofdlr1714254704owedi1714254704sni@n1714254704osloh1714254704cin.l1714254704uap1714254704