Ronaldo, Bale, Griezmann on UEFA Best Player shortlist

Some of the world’s top footballers will compete to be named as the 2015/16 UEFA Best Player in Europe after the ten-man shortlist was announced today, according to the official website of UEFA.

Will Grigg didn’t even kick a ball at Euro 2016.

Grigg is the only man outside a top division to appear on the list of 37 players who are voted for by European journalists.

Despite his efforts in the Football League last season, Grigg failed to make the final shortlist for the award, which will name the best player to have played in Europe over the last season.

Grigg didn’t play a single minute at Euro 2016 but was one of the tournament’s favourite players after a Wigan fan paid homage to the 25-year-old with a re-worked parody version of 90s dance hit “Freed From Desire”.

The other players on the list are Lionel Messi, Gianluigi Buffon, Antoine Griezmann, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Pepe and Luis Suarez.

Messi is bidding to collect a third award, after winning in 2011 and 2015, while Ronaldo won in 2014.

Each won two trophies, with Messi getting the Copa del Rey and La Liga with Barcelona, while Ronaldo won the Champions League with Real Madrid and Euro 2016 with Portugal. Last year Chelsea’s Eden Hazard was the solitary member, but this time Leicester City pair, Riyadh Mahrez and Jamie Vardy were 11th and 12th, respectively.

The victor for the award will be announced in Monaco on August 5, same night the 2016/2017 Champions League group stage draw will take place.