NYON: La Liga players dominate this year’s Best Player in Europe shortlist, announced by the continent’s governing body UEFA on Monday, with seven of the top 10 contenders for the prestigious award currently plying their trade in Spain.

European champions Real Madrid are represented by four players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, while last year’s winner Lionel Messi and Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez, along with Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, are on the list voted by media from each of UEFA’s 55 member federation countries.

Italy’s veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will be joined by Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich on the list, which features no players from the English Premier League.

The 10 candidates had the biggest points totals in a first-round poll of voters who each picked five players.

The list will be cut to three at the start of August, with UEFA’s jury to decide on the eventual winner during the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on August 25.

Ronaldo struck the winning spot-kick as Real claimed an 11th Champions League title, beating city rivals Atletico Madrid on penalties in May, before leading his country to Euro 2016 glory.

Fellow Portugal and Real team-mate Pepe also features on the shortlist along with Wales star Bale, who steered his country to the semi-finals of the European Championship in their first appearance at a major finals since 1958.

Real midfielder Toni Kroos was also included after reaching the Euro 2016 semi-finals with Germany.

Ronaldo is favourite to the win the award for a second time, after scooping the honours in 2013-14, which would see him draw level with Messi.

Atletico striker Griezmann was nominated after his six goals at Euro 2016 earned him the player of the tournament and the Golden Boot, only for France to fall short against Portugal in the final.

Northern Ireland’s Will Grigg, who shot to internet stardom after a Wigan Athletic fan paid homage to the striker with a parody version of the 90s dance hit ‘Freed From Desire’ by Gala, was a surprise inclusion.

The 25-year-old Grigg, who became a cult hero at the European Championship without even playing, finished in joint 25th position. He tallied the same points as Juventus duo Paul Pogba and Giorgio Chiellini and more votes than last season’s Bundesliga top scorer Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.

Best Player in Europe shortlist: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid & Wales), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid & France), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany), Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina), Thomas Muller (Bayern Mnchen & Germany), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Mnchen & Germany), Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal), Luis Suarez (Barcelona & Uruguay).

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2016