UEFA Best Player in Europe Award 2014 Nominees
The UEFA best player in Europe award is an association football award which is presented to a European football club player whose performance has been outstanding in previous session. The award created in 2011 by UEFA for the first time and is a replacement of the older UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award. The award was won by Lionel Messi in 2011. The 2nd edition of the award was won by the Andrés Iniesta beating the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Rolando. Franck Ribéry is the current award holder that he won in 2013. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only two players who made into the final of the all three editions of the award. The next award ceremony is going to be held on 14th of August in which three candidates for the UEFA Best Player in Europe award will be shortlisted amongst top 10, on the basis of the performances given by them in the previous season. UEFA’s Best Player in Europe 2014 will be announced on 28th of August. However, last year’s award winner Franck Ribery is not in this list who also missed his last World Cup due to injury. As the jury of renowned sports journalists is busy with calculating the statistics and figures of top ten, we bring to you a quick review of the performances which fetched them to the top ten. Have a look and feel yourselves at liberty to choose your own UEFA best player until the official announcement.
01. Diego Costa Atlético Madrid (Spain):
The first amongst the top 10 chosen contenders battling for the UEFA best player in Europe Award is Spanish star Diego da Silva Costa representing Atletico Madrid at club level. Diego finished the last league season with 27 league goals placing him as the third highest scorer and ultimately leading his team to the victory for the first time since 1996.
02.Ángel di María Real Madrid (Argentina):
Real Madrid’s attacking mid fielder Angel di Maria has also made to the top 10 players shortlisted for the prestigious UEFA Best Player in Europe Award 2014. His contribution in the club’s victory over Barcelona in 2014 Copa Del Ray final and 2014 UEFA Champions League final make him a strong contender for the top 3. Di María was also the top assist maker in La Liga for the season, contributing 17 assists.
03. Philipp Lahm Bayern Munich (Germany):
Although World Cup 2014 champion team’s captain has announced retirement from International football but he will still lead Bayern Munich in coming season. The 2013-14 season brought a new milestone for Lahm as the club under his captaincy grabbed a record 24th Bundesliga title and the earliest league championship in Bundesliga history. His unmatched leading abilities whether at national level or club level, pawed his way to the top ten contenders for the UEFA best player in Europe Award 2014.
04. Thomas Müller Bayern Munich (Germany):
The Munichen forward Thomas Muller begun the 2013-14 seasons with scoring in 7 out of 12 Bayern’s pre-season games. And ended the season with 25 goals in 50 appearances including his top scorer performance at 2014 DFB-Pokal. His 5 goals in World Cup 2014 led him to win the Silver shoe and he has become the third player to score 10 goals in his first 2 World Cups as well.
05. Manuel Neuer Bayern Munich (Germany):
In the list of top 10 nominees for the UEFA best player in Europe Award 2014 is another German Manuel Neuer. Goal keeper for both his club team Bayern Munich and national team, has won the Golden Glove award in World Cup 2014 and looks hungry for UEFA Best player in Europe Award as well.
06. Arjen Roben Bayern Munich (Netherlands):
The 30 year old Dutch mid fielder, forward Arjun Robben is yet another strong contender for winning the UEFA best player in Europe Award 2014. With 21 goals in 45 appearances from Bayern Munich in season 2013-14 and 9 goals as playing from Dutch side, the attacking mid fielder has acquired a spot in top 10 players to be contested for UEFA Best Player in Europe.
07. James Rodríguez AS Monaco/Real Madrid (Colombia):
Ranked as one of the best young player in the world, Colombian fresh blood James Rodriguez has been recently honored with his first Golden shoe in FIFA World Cup 2014. His 6 marvelous goals in 5 games led Colombia to the quarter finals of biggest event for the very first time. The best footballer in Ligue 1 debuted with Monaco and helped the club finding a spot in UEFA Champions League 2013.
08. Luis Suárez Liverpool/Barcelona (Uruguay):
Former Liverpool’s forward and Barça’s new No.9 has finished out last season with excellent numbers. He won the Golden Boot jointly with Cristiano Ronaldo thanks to his 31 goals in the Premier League and is in the list of top 10 players selected for the UEFA Best player in Europe Award.
09. Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid (Portugal):
With a record 17 goals in La Liga and a total of 67 for club and country in 2013-14, beating his previous record of 63 in 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo is once again in the final 10 for Europe’s best. The 2013 FIFA Ballon d’Or winner has been in the top 3 in all previous ceremonies of the award but has failed to win. With 31 league goals in 30 games, the joint winner of European Golden shoe award has the golden chance this year to win his first ever UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.
10. Lionel Messi Barcelona (Argentina):
The FIFA World Cup 2014 runner up captain, Lionel Messi has made it for the third time to reach in the top ten. He was the 2nd in the previous edition of UEFA best player in Europe Award but is hoping to win the award for second time. Messi concluded the season with 41 goals and 15 assists with Barcelona and 4 goals with Argentine, the runners up in WC 2014.
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