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Xavi, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo are contenders to win the first UEFA Best Player in Europe award.
The winner, who will be revealed on August 25 during the group stage draw of the Champions League, will be chosen by sports journalists from 53 UEFA member countries.
Messi is considered the favorite, having scored 53 goals in 55 matches last season and helped Barcelona to triumph in the Spanish league and the Champions League.
However, midfield maestro Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who defeated opposing goalkeepers in the Spanish league a staggering 40 times, cannot be discounted.
Below these three players, in the preliminary journalists' vote, were Andres Iniesta, Falcao, Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gerard Pique, and Manuel Neuer.
The new prize replaced the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award, which was won last time by Inter Milan's representative Diego Milito.
