Analysis: UEFA announces nominees for Player of the Season Award

UEFA has named the three man shortlist for the UEFA Player Of The Year Award. Here’s a look at who came in and why!

The UEFA Champions League’s final qualifying round gets underway this Tuesday with everything set to be wrapped up by the next week. The excitement for the season commencing from the group stage is much more every season and it is nothing different this time out. Europe’s elite competition starts in less than one month.

The group stage draw takes place on Thursday, the 30th of August and there will also be some prestigious awards that will be handed out on the day of the ceremony. It is an annual affair with the previous season’s best player also being announced at the event. On Monday morning, UEFA announced its three contenders for the UEFA Best Player Award for the 2017/18 campaign. The Real Madrid duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric is included while Mo Salah of Liverpool joins them.

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While Cristiano Ronaldo is now of Juventus, his exploits with the Whites last season are what put him in such a position to receive the award after a triumphant campaign. He scored 15 goals throughout the Champions League in addition to 29 in other competitions. His goals were vital as Madrid lifted a third successive Champions League. His bicycle kick against current club Juventus is also nominated for the goal of the season.

Luka Modric is one of the best players in the world. The Croat was extremely vital for Real Madrid and Croatia as both his teams did really well. While at club level, the 32 year old lifted the UEFA Champions League, he picked up a silver medal with his country at the FIFA World Cup. In addition, he was also given the Golden Ball for being the best player at the tournament. While his stats don’t provide for an eye catching read, his game certainly does.

Mohammed Salah is the third and final inclusion. The Egyptian endured a fantastic season with Liverpool where he scored 44 goals across 52 appearances. The former Roma winger was the Premier League’s top scorer last season and also scored a few important goals as Liverpool went to Kiev for the final. The Reds finished second in the competition but Salah did stand out for sure.

From the three names, one which is missing and deservedly so is that of Lionel Messi. The 31 year old was one of the best players of last season, undoubtedly. However, choking displays in the Champions League and FIFA World Cup saw him being left out of the list. With Barcelona, he was knocked out of the European competition in the quarter finals against Roma while France made mincemeat of his Argentina side.

Who do you think wins the prestigious accolade? Does Cristiano add an unprecedented fourth or will one of Luka or Mo get it this time?