Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi alongside Mohammed Salah of Liverpool FC would slug out to win the Best Forward award in the Champions League last season, UEFA announced on Thursday.
With Real Madrid winning a third consecutive European crown last season, Ronaldo, who won the award last year, topped the goalscoring charts with 15 goals in the competition.
With Liverpool’s Salah trailing with ten goals and four assist, the Egyptian was exceptional last season, while FC Barcelona’s Messi netted six goals.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that the best defender will emerge from Real Madrid from the trio of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane the only names shortlisted for the award.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, both of Real Madrid would compete with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne for the midfielder award.
New Liverpool signing Alisson has also been nominated in the best goalkeeper category.
He will compete for the honour with Real Madrid’s Costa Rica international Keylor Navas and Italian Gianluigi Buffon, who completed a switch from Juventus to Paris St Germain (PSG) last month.
The winners will be announced during the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on August 30.
The nominees were selected by a jury of 32 coaches from last year’s UEFA Champions League participants and 55 journalists chosen by the European Sports Media group.
