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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
1Real Madrid31246167204778
2Barcelona31217362342870
3GironaGirona31205663392465
4Atletico MadridAtletico31194859362361
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad311311745331250
7Valencia31138103432247
8Real BetisBetis31111283837145
9Villarreal31109124954-539
10Getafe31912103743-639
11Osasuna31116143644-839
12Las PalmasLas Palmas31107142935-637
13Sevilla31810133944-534
14AlavesAlaves3188152638-1232
15Mallorca31613122536-1131
16Rayo Vallecano31613122538-1331
17Celta Vigo31610153346-1328
18CadizCadiz31413142141-2025
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria31111193062-3214


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