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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
3Real Madrid1283125111427
4Villarreal127322319424
5GironaGirona146352018221
6Mallorca146351312121
7Osasuna136341720-321
8Athletic Bilbao135531913620
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad135351110118
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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