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Lionel Messi (L) and Franck Ribery (R) along with Cristiano Ronaldo are the three shortlisted players for UEFA Player of the Year for 2012-13. (Getty Images)
The 2012/13 UEFA Player of the Year award will be decided at the Champions League group stage draw on August 29. Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery, Barcelona‘s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo are the three shortlisted players.
Bayern Munich winger Ribery was instrumental in the German side’s Champions League triumph as they became the first German team to win the treble (Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Champions League).
Ribery played 43 matches for the German and European champions and scored 11 goals, including 10 in the league and one in the UEFA Champion League. Ribery’s largest contribution was in the creative department as he assisted 14 goals for his teammates in the Bundesliga and created a further five in the Champions League.
Messi led Barcelona to a La Liga title but the Catalans failed to progress passed the semi-final stage in both the UEFA Champions League and the Copa Del Rey. Messi continued his astonishing record with 60 goals in the season and 16 assists including 46 La Liga goals and 14 La Liga assists in 32 matches. The Argentine also scored eight UEFA Champions League goals.
Ronaldo had another stellar season at Real Madrid as he scored 55 goals in as many appearances and assisted 12 in the 2012-13 season. The Portugal international scored 34 goals in the La Liga, second only to Messi, as Real finished second and assisted 10 goals. Ronaldo, 28, top scored in the UEFA Champions League with 12 goals.
The award will be decided tonight in a live vote during tonight’s (August 29) Champions League group stage draw. Journalists will vote in an electronic process for their best player from the shortlist to determine the winner.
