UEFA Player of the Year: Benzema, Courtois, De Bruyne make final shortlist

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) and Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) have been announced as the final nominees for this year’s UEFA Player of the Year.

The European football governing body revealed this on Friday.

The final shortlist was compiled after a vote by coaches and selected journalists.

Benzema topped the scoring charts last season in the Champions League with 15 goals, while team mate Courtois made a record nine saves against Liverpool in the final.

De Bruyne and co were eliminated by Madrid in the semi-final of the competition.

The winners will be announced August 25 in Istanbul at the draw for the group stage of this season’s Champions League.

Chelsea playmaker, Jorginho, won the award last year.