Benzema, Courtois, De Bruyne on shortlist for UEFA award

Nyon, August 12 (BNA) Two members of the Real Madrid team applied to the shortlist of three players announced Friday for the UEFA Player of the Year award for last season, while no player from Liverpool was included.

Real Madrid was represented by Karim Benzema, who scored the best 15 goals in the tournament, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was most prominent in his 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the final.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who plays for Courtois with Belgium, finished the list after selected coaches and journalists voted, The Associated Press reported.

In the coaching award, Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti is on the shortlist, along with Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.

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

None of the candidates has ever won the UEFA award, which was first awarded in 2011 to Lionel Messi. Last year’s winner was Jorginho, after helping Italy and Chelsea win European titles.

UEFA said voting in the women’s awards was continuing and that the shortlists would be announced next week.

M