Real Madrid duo Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois are among the three players nominated for the UEFA Player of the Year Award 2021/22.

Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne is also in the running for the award which will be revealed on 25 August during the Champions’ League group stage draw in Istanbul.

The award is voted for by a panel made up of the clubs that participated in the group stage of the Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League 2021/22 and a group of journalists chosen by European Sports Media (ESM).

UEFA’s website says of Benzema: “The French striker was named 2021/22 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season after driving Real Madrid on to a record 14th European title, and his fifth since he joined from Lyon in 2009. His final tally of 15 goals earned him top spot in the competition scoring charts.”

On Courtois, it referenced the fact he won the Spanish Liga with the club and was the Player of the Match in the Champions League final after making several stunning saves against Liverpool.