New York City FC midfielder Andrea Pirlo has been nominated for the 2014-15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, it was announced today.
The former Juventus maestro is on the 10-player shortlist for the annual honor. Journalists from each of UEFA's 54 member associations provided a list of their five best-ranked players, with the first receiving five points, the second four and so on. The 10 players with the most points have advanced to the second vote, which will determine the three finalists to be named on August 12.
The winner will be announced August 28.
Pirlo, who
signed with New York City FC on July 6
, helped lead Juventus to the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League Final against Barcelona. The Spanish side won 3-1 in Berlin on June 6.
Pirlo curled one of his trademark free kicks into the back of the net in a 3-2 win over Olympiacos on Nov. 4, 2014, in his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance.
He also was named Serie A Player of the Year for the third consecutive season while helping Juventus to the Serie A title and Coppa Italia double.
Also nominated for the 2014-15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award are: GK Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), M Eden Hazard (Chelsea), F Lionel Messi (Barcelona), F Neymar (Barcelona), M Paul Pogba (Juventus), F Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), F Luis Suarez (Barcelona), F Carlos Tevez (Juventus) and M Arturo Vidal (Juventus).
Recent Winners
2013-14 -- F Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
2012-13 -- M Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich)
2011-12 -- M Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
2010-11 -- F Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
