Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been named on the shortlist for the UEFA Best Player Award for the 2015-16 season.
Every year, a journalist from each of UEFA’s 55 member association enters a list of five names, assigning five points to first place, four to second and so on, and the top 10 players when all the votes have been counted are named on the shortlist.
Buffon is not only the sole Italian player on the list, but also the only representative from Serie A, with Spain’s La Liga dominating,
Previous winners include Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta, and the results will be announced on August 5 during the Champions League group stage draw.
The 10 players on the shortlist are:
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid, Wales)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy)
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid, France)
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid, Germany)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Pepe (Real Madrid, Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)
Luis Saurez (Barcelona, Uruguay)
In total, 37 players received votes during the process, with Buffon’s Bianconeri teammates Giorgio Chiellini and Paul Pogba also named. Serie A was represented further by Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com