UEFA reveal nominees for Best Player prize

AFP / a

UEFA have revealed the nominees for their Best Player in Europe Award.

Les Davies, a 27-year-old winger who is a cult hero for his club Bangor City, has made it on to the 32-man list of players nominated for UEFA's Best Player in Europe award.
Davies is rubbing shoulders with the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo on the list with the award ceremony to take place on August 30 in Monaco.
The long-list was drawn up by one selected journalist from each UEFA member country voting for their five best players, and even a single nomination - believed to be from the Welsh journalist who voted - was enough to earn Davies a place on the long-list.
Davies admitted he was stunned to be included among such illustrious company.
"I'm flattered and honoured to be on such a list. I can't get my head round what's happened in the last few days," he told Sky Sports News.
"I don't think it is going to sink in for a long time...to be on the list with those people is unbelievable. Just to be nominated in the 32 is fantastic. I'll take that - I don't think I've got much of a chance to make the top three!"
The 32-player long list is: Aguero (Man City), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Balotelli (Man City), Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund), Buffon (Juventus), Casillas (Real Madrid), Cech (Chelsea), Coentrao (Real Madrid), Davies (Bangor), Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua), Fabregas (Barcelona), Falcao (Atletico Madrid), Hart (Man City), Ibrahimovic (AC Milan), Iniesta (Barcelona), Kagawa (Man Utd), Kompany (Man City), Lampard (Chelsea), Messi (Barcelona), Modric (Tottenham), Ozil (Real Madrid), Pepe (Real ), Pirlo (Juventus), Ramos (Real Madrid), Raul (Al-Sadd Sports Club), Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Rooney (Man Utd), Silva (Man City), Torres (Chelsea), Y Toure (Man City). van Persie (Arsenal), Xavi (Barcelona).