SAN FRANCISCO, August 10, (THEWILL) – Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah have all been nominated for UEFA’s Champions League positional awards, with the list dominated by Real Madrid players, Goal reports.
THEWILL recalls that Real won their third consecutive European title with thanks to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in Kiev, Gareth Bale netting a brace.
Bale did not make the cut of players voted for by coaches of the 32 teams from the 2017-18 Champions League group stage and 55 journalists representing each of UEFA’s member nations.
Real’s keeper, Keylor Navas may have his position at Real under serious threat following the signing of Thibaut Courtois but he was nominated in the goalkeeping category alongside Alisson and Gianluigi Buffon.
Real have a clean sweep among the defenders in the shape of Marcelo, Raphael Varane and captain Sergio Ramos, while only Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne – accompanying Luka Modric and Toni Kroos – prevents a similar scenario for the midfielders.
The three nominees for the Europa League Player of the Season award are also drawn from the final and continue the Spanish theme.
Atletico Madrid duo Antoine Griezmann and Diego Godin have been named alongside Marseille’s Dimitri Payet.
Godin lifted the trophy after Griezmann scored twice in a 3-0 win over the Ligue 1 side in Lyon.
The winners will be announced at the respective Champions League and Europa League group stage draws in Monaco on August 30 and 31.
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