The thing is new and must therefore be underlined.
For the first time since the creation of the UEFA player of the year trophy in 2011, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi appear in the trio of finalists.
The Portuguese had never been absent from the podium, winning the title three times (2014, 2016, 2017) while the two-time winner Argentina (2011, 2015) will not be in the top three for the 4th time of her career.
The humiliating elimination of FC Barcelona against Bayern Munich (2-8) in the quarter-finals of the Champions League went through there as well as the mediocre course of Juve, released by Lyon in the round of 16.
Messi and Neymar at the foot of the podium
Unsurprisingly, the Bavarian European champion places two players among the finalists: his Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, author of 55 goals in 47 matches last season and top scorer in the Champions League (15 goals).
And his goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, author of six
clean sheets
in C1.
The third finalist is called Kevin de Bruyne, best passer in Europe (20 assists) and author of 13 goals in the Premier League, where he was named best player.
the name of the winner will be announced on October 1st.
Lionel Messi fails at the foot of the podium (53 votes), tied with Neymar.
Follow Thomas Müller (Bayern, 41 votes), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain, 39 votes), Thiago Alcántara (Bayern, 27 votes), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern, 26 votes) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus, 25 votes).
Hansi Flick (Bayern Munich), Jürgen Klopp (Liverpool) and Julian Nagelsmann (Leipzig) will compete for the title of best coach for a 100% German podium.
Messi's top 5 goals in the Champions League
Fox in the ladies' competition
Among the women, two Lyonnaise crowned European champions this summer are among the finalists: captain Wendie Renard and English defender Lucy Bronze, now at Manchester City and holder of the 2019 trophy. Danish Pernille Harder (Chelsea) completes the list.
All the candidates for the UEFA Trophies are selected by a jury made up of 80 club coaches and 55 journalists.
Recall that
France Football
had decided for its part not to designate a Ballon d'Or 2020 because of the Covid-19.
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