Messi and Ronaldo joined by Van Dijk on three-man UEFA award shortlist

Champions League winner Virgil van Dijk is joined by Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Juventus Cristiano Ronaldo on the three-man shortlist for UEFA s Player of the Year award.

Van Dijk played a vital role in Liverpool s successful European campaign, playing 12 times en route to lifting the trophy.

As well as the UEFA recognition, he is also expected to be a major contender for the 2019 Ballon d Or, as is Messi.

Barcelona reached the semi-finals before being eliminated by Liverpool, but Messi still managed to enjoy a fine Champions League campaign.

NOMINEES: 2018/19 UEFA Men s Player of the Year

 Leo Messi
  Ronaldo
 

  winners announced at the , 29 August  

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)

The Argentina star scored 12 goals – including two against the Reds at Camp Nou – from 10 matches.

Ronaldo s inclusion is rather more surprising, given Juventus were eliminated by Ajax in the quarter-finals.

The Portugal attacker scored a respectable six times in nine matches, but that was an unspectacular impact compared to his 15-goal haul in 12 outings the season before.

The shortlist was selected by a jury of 80 coaches from clubs involved in the Champions League and Europa League group stages, plus 55 journalists from UEFA s 55 member associations.

One of the three players will be presented with the award on August 29, during the Champions League group stage draw ceremony.

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