Gareth Bale nominated for Uefa’s Best Player in Europe Award despite failing to score in Champions League during last campaign
Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann also in contention while Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi surprisungly miss out
GARETH BALE is one of three players nominated for Uefa’s Best Player in Europe Award.
But he will face stiff competition from Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann.
Gareth Bale celebrates winning a second Champions League final after win in Milan
Bale was part of a Real Madrid attack which was instrumental in winning a record-extending 11th European Cup/Champions League — but failed to find the back of the net in eight appearances.
Luis Suarez, by contrast, scored eight times in nine appearances in Europe's premier competition, but was a surprise oversight.
And Barcelona fans' fury was compounded as last season's winner, Lionel Messi, was also overlooked.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored six times in seven Champions League games, broke Argentina's goal scoring record and led his country to a second consecutive Copa America final.
Ronaldo is the favourite to claim the award he also won in 2014.
The Portuguese superstar is the only player to have made the top three in every single one of the six editions.
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He also captained his country to an historic first-ever major trophy as they beat France in the final of Euro 2016.
Griezmann’s goals helped eliminate Barcelona and Bayern Munich as Atletico Madrid made a second final in three years.
The Frenchman was also named the best player at Euro 2016 as the hosts finished runners up.
However, one major blotch on the striker’s copybook is his missed penalty in the Champions League final as Atletico lost to city-rivals Real Madrid.
Ronaldo finished as top goal scorer for the fourth consecutive season — despite failing to score beyond the quarter-final stage.
Bale also impressed at Euro 2016, scoring three times as Wales surprised everyone to reach the semi-finals.
The winner will be announced during the Champions League group stage draw on August 25.
Other positions
4. Luis Suarez (Barcelona & Uruguay)
5. Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)
6. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy)
7. Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal)
8. Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich & Germany)
9. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany)
10. Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich & Germany)