UEFA announce Player of the Year shortlist
Lionel Messi, Gianluigi Buffon and Cristiano Ronaldo have been shortlisted for UEFA's men's player of the year award.
The winner will be announced on August 24 during the draw for the Champions League group stage in Monaco, along with the positional prizes (goalkeeper of the year etc).
The shortlist was chosen by a jury of 135 people, made up of the 80 managers of clubs that participaqted in the group stage of the 2016/17 Europa League or Champions League as well as 55 journalists, representing each of UEFA's member associations.
The result was based on the votes cast by these 135 people, with coaches not allowed to vote for players from their own team.
Players are judged on their performances across all competitions, be they domestic, European or international.
The rest of the top 10 was made up of: 4: Luka Modrić (Croatia, Real Madrid) 5: Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid) 6: Paulo Dybala (Argentina, Juventus) 7: Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid) 8: Kylian Mbappé (France, Monaco) 9: Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern München) 10: Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden, Manchester United)
The three finalists all enjoyed fine campaigns last time out. With Gianluigi Buffon missing out on his first Champions League title after losing in the final to a Ronaldo-inspired Real Madrid.
Three quality players and only one prize. Who will be the winner?