Bayern quartet up for UEFA award

Bayern Munich players dominate the shortlist for the UEFA Best Player in Europe award, which was won by Franck Ribery last year.

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Despite falling short in their quest to retain the Champions League after being beaten by eventual winners Real Madrid in the semifinals, Bayern have had four players nominated -- World Cup winning trio Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm and Thomas Muller, plus Arjen Robben.

Bayern may not have won European football's top prize but they dominated domestically, claiming the Bundesliga title at a canter and adding the DFB Pokal to their trophy cabinet, as well as picking up the UEFA Super Cup and World Club Cup.

European champions Real Madrid have two players on the list -- Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria -- following their clinching of La Decima in May, while Barcelona star Lionel Messi and new teammate Luis Suarez, plus Diego Costa and James Rodriguez are the players who complete the 10-man shortlist.

That shortlist will be whittled down to three at a further ballot of European football writers on Aug. 14.

The previous winners of the award, which was created three years ago, were Ribery (2013), Andres Iniesta (2012) and Messi (2011).

Shortlist for UEFA Best Player in Europe award: 

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid)
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
Diego Costa (Chelsea)
James Rodriguez (Monaco)