UEFA has announced a list of players contending for the Best Player in Europe award for the 2015/16 year under review.

Real Madrid star men, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, as well as Atletico Madrid’s striker, Antoine Griezmann are in pole position for the ultimate award.

The surprising bit of the list was Barcelona star; Lionel Messi failed to make the top four, he placed 5th on the list of 10.

Journalists from each of UEFA’s 55 member associations provided an initial list of their five best-ranked players, with the first receiving five points, the second four, and so on.

The ten players with the most points advanced to the second round of voting, which has determined the three finalists named Friday.

The jury will cast their votes for the winner during the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on Thursday 25 August.

Past editions have been won by Lionel Messi (2011, 2015), Andrés Iniesta (2012), Franck Ribéry (2013) and Ronaldo (2014).

Other positions

4 Luis Suárez (Barcelona & Uruguay) – 29 points

5 Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) – 25

6 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy) – 19

7 Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal) – 9

8 Manuel Neuer (Bayern München & Germany) – 6

9 Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany) – 5

10 Thomas Müller (Bayern München & Germany) – 2