NYON, Switzerland (AP) " Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are on the 10-player shortlist to be named UEFA Best Player in Europe for last season. ___Best Player in Europe Candidates: Gareth Bale (Wales, Real Madrid), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), Antoine Griezmann (France, Atletico Madrid), Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), Thomas Mueller (Germany, Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich), Pepe (Portugal, Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Barcelona). Ronaldo is joined by Pepe, his teammate on European champion teams Portugal and Real Madrid, on the shortlist voted by media from each of UEFA's 55 member federation countries. Fan favorite Will Grigg missed out but got as many points as Paul Pogba. The 10 candidates had the biggest points totals in a first-round poll of voters who each picked five players.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 18, 2016 11:15 UTC