The contenders for this season’s UEFA Player of the Year have been announced, ahead of the presentation ceremony at the Champions League Group Stage draw on Friday. This year’s nominees are Cristiano Ronaldo, Gianluigi Buffon and Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo is aiming for his fourth victory in this award, while Messi is also aiming for his fourth. Meanwhile, Gianluigi Buffon has won this award once, back in 2002/03 following Juventus’ run to the Champions League final.
Let’s have a look at the contenders and how they’ve managed to get themselves nominated.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Honours: UEFA Champions League, La Liga, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup
Domestic League
Appearances: 29
Goals: 25
Assists: 6
UEFA Champions League
Appearances: 13
Goals: 12
Assists: 6
Gianluigi Buffon
Honours: Serie A, Coppa Italia
Domestic League
Appearances: 30
Clean Sheets: 13
UEFA Champions League
Appearances: 12
Clean Sheets: 9
Lionel Messi
Honours: Copa del Rey
Domestic League
Appearances: 34
Goals: 37
Assists: 9
UEFA Champions League
Appearances: 9
Goals: 11
Assists: 2