Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez shortlisted for UEFA Best

The 28-year-old joins perennial top player nominees Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo won 2013-14’s award and led La Liga in goals in 2014-15, scoring an incredible 48, per UEFA’s report.

While Ronaldo failed to lift any silverware with Real Madrid as rivals Barca enjoyed a superb campaign, the Portugal captain still scored a career-best of 61 goals for Los Blancos to earn his place on the shortlist.

The victor will be announced on August. 27 in Monaco based on 54 votes from European journalists.

UEFA have announced the three finalists for the 2015 UEFA Best Player of the Year award.

He scored a brace in the Copa del Rey final, netted 43 times in La Liga – only bettered by Ronaldo – and was joint-top marksman in the Champions League, along with the Portuguese and Neymar.

Arturo Vidal (Chile – Juventus, now Bayern München), Carlos Tévez (Argentina – Juventus, now Boca Juniors) and Paul Pogba (France – Juventus) also made the shortlist. Past winners include Messi and Ronaldo, along with Andres Iniesta and Franck Ribery. He cantered to a successive Ballon d’Or – and rightly so.

Who do you think was the Best Player in Europe in 2014/15?

Chelsea star Eden Hazard finished sixth after inspiring Jose Mourinho’s side to the Premier League title last term, winning the PFA Player of the year award in the process.