Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Gianluigi Buffon shortlisted for UEFA Player of the Year award

Veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been named as one of three nominees for the 2016-17 UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, European football's governing body announced on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old Buffon was a key member of the Juventus side that reached last season's Champions League final, but he missed out on a first winner's medal as the Italians were beaten 4-1 by Ronaldo's Real Madrid in Cardiff.

 Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award twice, as has Lionel Messi.

Real Madrid, who have lifted the European Cup in three of the past four seasons, had four players in the top 10, with Luka Modric fourth, Toni Kroos fifth and Sergio Ramos seventh.