UEFA Best Player: The Candidates - My Top 3

It is easy to see the influence for a lot of these players inclusions. They are all winners (with the exception of Ronaldo) The Juventus stars made a valiant effort at the treble only to fall at the very last hurdle. Al the Barcelona players could have made the cut but it was always going to go to those front three. This is unbelievably difficult to choose. I haven't chosen any Juventus players because I think it shows their quality that so many are in, they were the best team, but none were a stand out player against their team mates and therefore can't see how one player deserves it over another. I also haven't picked Ronaldo, actually I think Ronaldo will be in the top three and to an extent he should be. His scoring record is better than anyones and he has once again been the outstanding player for Real Madrid who challenged deep into every competition. Unfortunately having failed to win any silverware and also showcasing some A-class baby skills at times, I think that his ego slightly got the better of him this season and perhaps karma dictates he misses his place this year. As for Neymar, I think he just misses out, he does deserve his place as he has had an outstanding season but I, personally, just feel that the top 3 I have picked were, overall, slightly more influential to the team come the end of the season.

My Top 3

3. Suarez

Maybe a strange choice to some but the turning point in Barcelona's season came when Luis Suarez returned to action and found his feet at the Camp Nou. He had to get used to life along side Messi & Neymar and come to terms with not being the main man in the squad. However, Suarez is a guy who understands football, he is quite possibly the cleverest attacker in the world and he ended the season having contributed to over 40 goals and that was with 3 months off. Despite all his, obvious, bad qualities, you can not argue with his footballing ability on the pitch. He took a step up this season and passed with flying colours. A fantastic winner in an El Classico and a goal in the Champions League final that secured a historic treble. Barcelona were having problems until their front three struck up a rhythm. Suarez deserves his place. 

2. Hazard

While most would agree that Hazard is a great player, most would also concede that he is still a cut below the Messi and Ronaldo's of this world. While that may be true, Hazard has had a season to remember and his stats make for far more compelling reading than you might think. While Messi & Ronaldo continue to smash the record books in volume of goals they were both outmatched this season in chances created and key passes completed. In fact other than goals and assists Hazard outranked both of them on almost every stat available including most successful take ons, dribble and most times fouled. Some other stats were helped by Mourinho's defensive style that led to him making more tackles and interceptions but Hazard was an integral part of Chelsea's title winning side scoring and creating consistently against every single opponent. He was a cut above and could well make the top 3.

1. Messi

But the number one spot has to go to Lionel Messi. They could give him this for his performance against Bayern Munich alone. Messi is back to form and although Ronaldo slightly outscored him, there is no doubt that he ultimately led them to the treble. Fabled as possibly the greatest trio of all time, Messi is the focal point of Barcelona's attack and week upon week comes up with a piece of wizardry that defies belief. He didn't have his best game in the Champions League final but still created the important second goal, he scored an incredible solo effort against Bilbao in the final of the Copa Del Rey and pretty much proved that when he is form he is completely unstoppable. I think Messi will be the one to beat this year and I'm not sure his competitors have quite done enough.

So who are your Top 3? Agree with me? Or Disagree?

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