Neymar scored 31 goals in 49 appearances for Barcelona last season, helping ensure a La Liga and Copa del Rey double for the club, but the Brazilian captain hasn’t cracked UEFA’s list for the top 10 players in Europe.
UEFA’s 10-man shortlist was compiled based off the votes from journalists in each of UEFA’s 55 member associations. Neymar finished tied 19th in the results with Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Bayern Munich’s rising star Renato Sanches.
Paul Pogba, whose worth is supposedly more than $100 million, could only finish 25th on the list — tied with shock entrant Will Grigg of English Championship side Wigan Athletic.
The winner of the competition will be announced on August 25th at the UEFA Champions League group stage draw. Lionel Messi won the award in 2011 and 2015, Andres Iniesta in 2012, Franck Ribery in 2013 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2014.
This year’s 10 nominees are:
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid & Wales)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus & Italy)
Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid & France)
Toni Kroos (Real Madrid & Germany)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina)
Thomas Müller (Bayern München & Germany)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern München & Germany)
Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona & Uruguay)
The general consensus favorites for this year's award include Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann.
(H/T: ESPN FC)
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