PARIS: Cristiano Ronaldo and his Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale headlined a 10-man shortlist announced on Monday for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.

Ronaldo struck the winning spot-kick as Real claimed an 11th Champions League title, beating city rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties in May, before leading his country to Euro 2016 glory.

Fellow Portugal and Real team-mate Pepe also features on the shortlist along with Wales star Bale, who steered his country to the semi-finals of the European Championship in their first appearance at a major finals since 1958.

Ronaldo is favourite to the win the award for a second time, after scooping the honours in 2013-14, which would see him draw level with Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Atletico striker Antoine Griezmann was also nominated after his six goals at Euro 2016 earned him the player of the tournament and the Golden Boot, only for France to fall short against Portugal in the final.

Messi was one of two Barcelona players to make the list along with Luis Suarez, while Bayern Munich duo Manuel Neuer and Thomas Mueller, Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and Real midfielder Toni Kroos were also included.

The players were selected by journalists from each of UEFA's 55 members associations who will vote for a second time on August 5 to determine the three finalists.

The winner of the award will be announced in Monaco on August 25 when the draw for the Champions League group stage is made.

Opinion

Editorial

Unfinished business
Updated 03 Jul, 2026

Unfinished business

THE landmark 18th Amendment and seventh NFC Award radically reshaped Pakistan’s fiscal federalism by transferring...
Abuse cycle
03 Jul, 2026

Abuse cycle

LULLED into a sense of false security by its own denial and apathy, Pakistan is a long way from achieving tangible...
Closing the gap
03 Jul, 2026

Closing the gap

THE numbers are encouraging, yet one cannot help but rue the opportunities still being lost. The GSMA’s Mobile...
‘Talks over hostility’
Updated 02 Jul, 2026

‘Talks over hostility’

THE recent appeal endorsed by civil society members from Pakistan and India, urging the prime ministers of both...
Lahore tragedy
02 Jul, 2026

Lahore tragedy

THE death of 14 children in the roof collapse of a private tuition centre in Lahore has plunged the entire country...
Data policy
02 Jul, 2026

Data policy

THE draft ‘Data Governance Policy’, released by the IT ministry recently, is a welcome step towards modernising...