Two Real Madrid players, Frenchman Karim Benzema and Belgian Thibaut Courtois, as well as fellow Belgian Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City, were nominated for the UEFA Best Player of the Year Award, the European body announced on Friday.
This distinction, which rewards the best soccer player on the continent regardless of their nationality, will be awarded on August 25 during the draw for the Champions League group stage.
The main architect of Real Madrid’s fourteenth crown in the Champions League and top scorer in the European competition, with 15 goals, Benzema is the great favorite to succeed the Italian Jorginho.
The 34-year-old French striker scored 44 goals in 46 games for the Madrid club last season, in which he also won LaLiga.
By scoring Real Madrid’s second goal against Eintracht Frankfurt (2-0) this Wednesday in the European Super Cup, Benzema also became the second best scorer in the club’s history with 324 goals, ahead of Real Madrid player Raúl González ( 323) and only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (451).
Last season, Benzema also added a national team trophy, the League of Nations, to his record, his only title with France.
For his part, his teammate Courtois was also decisive in Real Madrid’s way to the Champions League, while his compatriot Kevin De Bruyne won his second consecutive Premier League title with Manchester City, but fell in the semi-finals of the Champions League against Real Madrid.
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