Three on shortlist for best player in Europe

Lionel Messi, Franck Ribery and Cristiano Ronaldo have been named on the three-man shortlist for Uefa’s Best Player in Europe award for the 2012-13 season.

The attacking trio came top in a poll of journalists from each of Uefa’s member national associations and the overall winner will be announced in a live vote during the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on 29 August.

Last year’s winner was Andres Iniesta while his Barcelona team-mate Messi lifted the inaugural award for the 2010-11 season.

Argentina star Messi helped Barca win the Primera Division title last term with 46 league goals – earning him the European Golden Shoe award in the process.

France international Ribery was a key part of the Bayern Munich side which became the first German club to win the treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal last term.

Portugal striker Ronaldo netted 34 league goals for Real Madrid last season and finished as top scorer in the Champions League with 12 goals.

The positions from fourth to tenth have already been fixed, with Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski fourth, and Bayern team-mates Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller fifth and sixth.

Tottenham’s Gareth Bale is seventh, Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern is eighth while Paris St Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie occupy ninth and tenth positions, respectively.

Meanwhile, Neymar has admitted he has been treated for anaemia during Barcelona’s pre-season tour of Asia but insisted his condition has improved.

The Brazil forward underwent an operation to remove his tonsils less than a week after the Confederations Cup. “I’m better,” he said.