Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery make UEFA shortlist

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribery have been named on the shortlist for UEFA's Best Player in Europe Award.

The winner will be decided by journalists via a live vote during the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on August 29.

Selected members of the media took part in an initial vote to determine the top 10 players in Europe.

Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale failed to make the final three after finishing in seventh place, while Manchester United striker Robin van Persie came in 10th.

Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Zlatan Ibrahimovic complete the list of the 10 best players.