Ronaldo, Bale, Griezmann makes final list for UEFA Player of the Year

Ronaldo, Griezmann and Bale

UEFA released a three-man shortlist for the annual Player of the Year award Friday that honours the footballer considered the best over the previous season, and regardless of who wins, the trophy will call Madrid its home. Real Madrid attack tandem Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will vie for the award with Atletico Madrid stud Antoine Griezmann, with voting taking place during the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on Aug. 25. For only the second time since the award was introduced in 2010-11, Barcelona's two-time winner Lionel Messi is not among the three finalists.
The finalists were determined by journalists from each of UEFA's 55 member associations, who nominate five nominees each based on a point system, where the best rated receives five points, four for second, and so on.