By Victor Kanayo
Football stars Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne are the top three contenders for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award, the European ruling body said on Friday.
The winner will be announced during the 2022-23 Champions League group stage draw ceremony in Istanbul on Aug. 25.
Benzema was named Champions League Player of the Season after driving Real Madrid to a record 14th European title.
The Frenchman is running for the individual award against team-mate and keeper Thibaut Courtois.
De Bruyne has made the top three for the third season in a row. He was named as the Premier League player of the season after helping Manchester City FC to secure another domestic title.
Other awards include Men’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Player and Coach of the Year.
Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti, Manchester City’s Josep Guardiola, and Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp are the top three nominees for the men’s coach award.
