MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 23: Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates as he scores their third goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Bernabeu on April 23, 2017 in Madrid, Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Virgil Van Dijk were named finalists for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award on Wednesday.
Juventus star Ronaldo, who has won the prize three times, has been nominated as a finalist every year since the honor was created in 2011. Messi has won the award twice, including last season after he finished as Barcelona’s leading scorer for both the Champions League (12 goals) and La Liga (36 goals). Barca lost to Liverpool 3-0 in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals in May.
Dutch defender Van Dijk, who plays for Liverpool, has already secured the Players’ Player of the Year award and the Premier League Player of the Season honor.
All three players were nominated by a jury of 80 coaches whose teams participated in last year’s Champions League, as well as by one reporter from each of UEFA’s 55 member associations.
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Ronaldo, a five-time Champions League winner, struggled in his debut with Juventus this past season. The Italian club fell to Ajax Amsterdam in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Nevertheless, he helped propel Juventus to its eighth Italian league title and compiled 21 goals.
The UEFA Player of the Year Award will be presented on Aug. 29 in Monaco at the Champions League group stage draw event.
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