- Messi, Ronaldo, Buffon top three for the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award
- Luca Modric, Toni Kroos, Paulo Dybala make the top ten list released by UEFA
- Ronaldo and Messi have both won the award two times each in the last 6 years
Gianluigi Buffon will battle Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award.
The winner of the award won by the likes of Andres Iniesta and Frank Ribery in the past will be announced during the group stage draw on 24 August.
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Ronaldo is favourite to win the award after leading Real Madrid to the Champions league glory last season.
Other players who failed to make the top three list but made the top ten in order are: Luka Modrić (Croatia, Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid), Paulo Dybala (Argentina, Juventus), Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), Kylian Mbappé (France, Monaco), Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Bayern München), Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden, Manchester United).
Messi and Ronaldo have both won the award twice previously – Messi in 2010/11 and 2014/15, and Ronaldo in 2013/14 and last season.
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Other awards to be given on the day are the the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward of the 2016/17 Champions League season.
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