Ronaldo, Messi, Griezmann make 10-man nomination list

The list was released by UEFA on Monday, July 18 with Ronaldo favourite to win the award after leading Real Madrid and Portugal to European titles this year.

The 31-year-old won the Champions League with Real Madrid and also European Championship with Portugal in 2016.

Lionel Messi led Barcelona to the La Liga and Copa del Rey titles this season and Argentina to the final of Copa America where they lost to Chile.

Griezmann was a losing finalist in both the Champions League with Atletico Madrid and Euro 2016 with France.

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Also in the list is Gareth Bale who won the Champions League with Real Madrid and led Wales to an impressive run at Euro 2016.

Europe's golden shoe winner Luis Suarez, Gianluigi Buffon, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and Pepe complete the 10-man shortlist.

A final shortlist of three players will be released on August 5 with the winner being announced on August 25.

The winner will be decided by votes from journalists from each of UEFA's 55 member association.

UEFA's 10-man shortlist

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid & Wales)

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy)

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid & France)

Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany)

Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)

Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich & Germany)

Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich & Germany)

Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal)

Luis Suarez (Barcelona & Uruguay)