On Thursday UEFA announced the shortlist for their “Best Player in Europe” award, as a few names you might have been expecting were left off the list.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Arjen Robben and Manuel Neuer are the three men who are in with a chance of winning the award, as the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Diego Costa didn’t make the cut.

The three players were picked as the finalists by a panel of journalists and the winner will be announced in a glitzy ceremony in Monaco on Aug. 28.

Since the award began in 2011, Ronaldo has been among the final three on every occasion but has yet to win the accolade. This year he will be seen as the clear favorite ahead of Bayern Munich duo Robben and Neuer.

Ronaldo, 28, was Real Madrid’s top scorer during the 2013-14 season and he broke the UEFA Champions League record for most goals in a single tournament with 17 as Real lifted the trophy in Lisbon in May. The Portuguese striker scored 51 goals in 47 appearances last season across all competitions.

As for Neuer, he was voted the German player of the year as Bayern were knocked out at the semifinal stage of the Champions League by Real but won the Bundesliga. Neuer is the first goalkeeper to ever make the shortlist for the reward. Dutch international and fellow Bayern star Robben has enjoyed a wonderful summer with the Netherlands as he propelled the Oranje to the semifinal stage at the World Cup with his wing-wizardry.

All three would be worthy winners of the award but we will found out who collects the gong later this month in Monaco.

The past three winners of this event:

Franck Ribery – 2012-13
Andres Iniesta – 2011-12
Lionel Messi – 2010-11
http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/14/uefa-release-shortlist-for-europes-top-player-award

And his career is ebbing.

This is not possible no Messi? UEFA must be high on something.

Cristiano Ronaldo should win the award

Messi should try next year because this year is for Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi is south american not european!

Ronaldo is the best player in 2014 no doubt about that

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NITROGENN: Sooo many illiterates n dead brain folks on this forum.When did Messi become an European. He is from a South American country.

You are the one that is an illiterate and dead brain because the award is for any player that play football in European and messi is the first player to won the award in 2010-11 season and this are the list of past winners
Franck Ribery – 2012-13
Andres Iniesta – 2011-12
Lionel Messi – 2010-11

Caleboha: Lionel Messi is south american not european!

All players are eligible as long as they are playing for a european club.

NITROGENN: Sooo many illiterates n dead brain folks on this forum.When did Messi become an European. He is from a South American country.

Foool.... He won 2010-11

NITROGENN: Sooo many illiterates n dead brain folks on this forum.When did Messi become an European. He is from a South American country.

Look at the way you are disgracing Yourself

Ginoo:

Look at the way you are disgracing Yourself

On a nigerian forum? I dnt think so.

NITROGENN: On a nigerian forum? I dnt think so.

Stupid gaynian dickrider...go back to gaynaweb before i start with u.

edi287:
Stupid gaynian dickrider...go back to gaynaweb before i start with u.

Start with who? U wanna try? SMH.