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Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo head shortlist for Best Player in Europe award

Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo head the nominations for the Best Player in Europe award.

Perennial rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been included on the shortlist for the Best Player in Europe award.

Messi is the defending champion having scooped the award in 2015, but Ronaldo scored 16 goals in the Champions League last season and also netted the winning penalty in the shootout against Atletico Madrid to hand Real their 11th crown.

Antoine Griezmann was on the losing side in that match, but he is also included on the list having been named the best player and top goalscorer at Euro 2016 this summer, helping hosts France all the way to the final, where they were beaten by Ronaldo's Portugal.

Pepe also represents Portugal in the final 10, while Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos make it a quartet of Real Madrid players on the shortlist.

Bayern Munich pair Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer are also included, as are Barcelona's Luis Suarez and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

The award takes into account performances in all competitions at both domestic and international level throughout the 2015-16 campaign, and the shortlist will be cut down to three on August 5, with the winner announced during the Champions League group stage draw on August 25.

Wigan Athletic and Northern Ireland striker Will Grigg came in at 25th on the initial list, level with Diego Godin, Hugo Lloris and Paul Pogba, and above the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kevin De Bruyne.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid37297187266194
2Barcelona37257577433482
3GironaGirona37246778463278
4Atletico MadridAtletico372341068432573
5Athletic Bilbao371811860372365
6Real Sociedad371612951371460
7Real BetisBetis37141494845356
8Villarreal371410136464052
9Valencia37139153843-548
10AlavesAlaves37129163545-1045
11Osasuna37128174455-1144
12Getafe371013144152-1143
13Sevilla371011164752-541
14Celta Vigo371010174455-1140
15Las PalmasLas Palmas37109183246-1439
16Rayo Vallecano37814152947-1838
17Mallorca37716143143-1237
RCadizCadiz37615162549-2433
RGranada3749243872-3421
RAlmeria37212233774-3718


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