UEFA which is the European football governing body has released the three shortlisted candidates for the European best player award.
The shortlist which was released a few hours ago by UEFA had players from Real Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool and the names which were released are:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus-Italy)
Luka Modric (Real Madrid-Spain)
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool-England)
The likes of Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo with 15-goals in the competition last season and also winning it, and Croatian and his former Real Madrid teammate and midfielder Luka Modric are more favoured to take home the award, given their individual performances at last season UEFA Champions League for their Club Real Madrid, who were eventual champions for a record three times in a row.
Though Cristiano Ronaldo now plays for Juventus in Italy, UEFA will only consider his performance for his country and his time at Real Madrid for last season, and also for winning the competition a record five times, he is more favoured to win it, ahead of Salah and Modric.
He is the all-time leading goal scorer in Champions League history, and Messi not making the cut, he is sure taking home the award for a record time. If he wins, it will be his 4th and three in a row in the last three seasons.
The players were shortlisted after a vote by a jury comprising the coaches of the 80 clubs from last season’s Champions League and Europa League, as well as 55 journalists representing UEFA’s member associations.
Ronaldo has won the award twice in a row and three times in 2014, 2016 and 2017, and although Portugal did not go far in the just concluded Russia 2018 world cup, he is still likely to win it, with Modric being his biggest threat.
The winner has always been judged by their performances in all competitions, domestic and international, and at the club and national team levels throughout the season.
The award will be announced on the 30th of August 2018 when the draws of the Champions League group stage will be made.