By Toby Prince
Real Madrid super star, Cristiano Ronaldo, will battle Barcelona duo, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, for the 2014-15 award for the best player in Europe.
The current holder will have to overcome the Barcelona attacking pair in order to retain the award which will be handed on August 27 at the draw for the Uefa Champions League group stage.
After scoring 61 goals in 54 appearances coupled with Uefa Super Cup and World Club Cup successes, the Portugal skipper is on the verge of yet another solo honour.
Luis Suarez must be in cloud-nine after just a single season with the Blaugrana. Less than a year after leaving Liverpool, the Uruguayan swept all trophies in Spain and Tuesday added the Uefa Super Cup medal to his cabinet.
Along with fellow nominee Lionel Messi and Neymar Junior, the trio formed the most fearsome attacking front-line in Europe.
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Juventus goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, and Barcelona super star, Neymar Junior were all dropped in favour of the much fancied trio.
The Uefa best player in Europe prize is voted for by journalists from all 54 of Uefa’s member associations. Each journalist provides a five-man shortlist of who they believe should win the award, with each of those receiving a points tally based on the ranking and the number of votes accumulated.
Lionel Messi won the 2010-11 award, Cristiano Ronaldo is the current holder having picked up the 2013-14 edition while Luiz Suarez is yet to win the award.
