THE UEFA award for the best Europe-based player last season won’t be won by a World Cup champion from France. Instead, three-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo was joined Monday by former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah on a shortlist selected by Champions League coaches and invited journalists across Europe. Three France players were in the top 10: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid was fourth, Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain was sixth and Raphael Varane of Real Madrid was eighth. The award typically rewards Champions League performances — with all three on the shortlist having played in the final in May — but voters can take the World Cup into account. Coaches could not vote for players on their own team. “Players are judged on their performances in all competitions — domestic, continental and international,” UEFA said in a statement. The winner will be announced Aug. 30 in Monaco. (SD-Agencies) |