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Van Dijk, Messi, Ronaldo named UEFA Player of the Year finalists

VI-Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Virgil van Dijk will have an opportunity to add more silverware to his trophy cabinet after being named a finalist for the 2018-19 UEFA Men's Player of the Year award.

It's the Liverpool defender's first time on the three-man shortlist, which also includes Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Since its inception in 2011, Messi and Ronaldo have won the award five times - Ronaldo is the only player to claim it on three occasions. Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric took the honor last season.

The shortlist was selected by the 80 coaches who participated in the group stage of last season's Champions League and Europa League, as well as 55 journalists.

Here's how the rest of the top 10 unfolded:

Rank Player Team Points
4 Alisson Liverpool 57
5 Sadio Mane Liverpool 51
6 Mohamed Salah Liverpool 49
7 Eden Hazard Chelsea/Real Madrid 38
8 Matthijs de Ligt Ajax/Juventus 27
8 Frenkie de Jong Ajax/Barcelona 27
10 Raheem Sterling Manchester City 12

Meanwhile, finalists for the Goalkeeper of the Season award include Liverpool's Alisson, Tottenham's Hugo Lloris, and Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Liverpool youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold will go up against teammate Van Dijk and Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt for Defender of the Season honors, while Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, Spurs' Christian Eriksen, and the Reds' Jordan Henderson were shortlisted for the Midfielder of the Year award.

Messi and Ronaldo will square off again for the Forward of the Season award alongside Liverpool's Sadio Mane.

Europa League Player of the Season honors will go to either Chelsea's Olivier Giroud or recent Real Madrid additions Eden Hazard or Luka Jovic.

Lyon trio Lucy Bronze, Ada Hegerberg, and Amandine Henry will vie for the Women's Player of the Year award.

Winners will be named during the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on Aug. 29.

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