Ronaldo, Bale, Griezmann vie for Best Footballer in Europe Award

Nyon, Aug 5 (IANS) Real Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale and Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann have made it to the final list of footballers competing for the Best Player in Europe Award, after UEFA announced the final three on Friday.

FC Barcelona's Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi came in fourth and fifth positions, followed by Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon in sixth, reports Efe.

Past editions have been won by Lionel Messi (2011, 2015), Andres Iniesta (2012), Franck Ribery (2013) and Ronaldo (2014).

"As in previous years, journalists from each of UEFA's 55 member associations provided an initial list of their five best-ranked players, with the first receiving five points, the second four, and so on. The ten players with the most points advanced to a second round of voting which has determined the three finalists named today," UEFA said in a statement on Friday.

Among other players, Real Madrid's Portuguese Pepe was in seventh place while his German club-mate Toni Kroos came in at ninth. Bayern Munich's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was eighth and his team mate Thomas Muller completed the top 10.

The winner of the trophy will be announced during the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on August 25.