There were also some awards given out at the Champions League draw last night and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA's Player of the Year, beating Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Buffon. The Portuguese helped his country win Euro 2016 while aiding Real in winning the Spanish La Liga and becoming the first team to defend the Champions League title while finishing as the tournament's top scorer with 12 goals.

 

Ronaldo has now won Player of the Year three times, one more than Messi who was part of the shortlist chosen by a panel of 80 coaches of clubs that made it to the Champions League and Europa League, along with 55 journalists selected by the European Sports Media group, representing each of UEFA's member associations. Barcelona winger Lieke Martens was named UEFA women's Player of the Year. Juventus' Buffon picked up the best goalkeeper award for helping his side win a sixth straight Serie A title and to the final of the Champions League last season. Other individual honors went to Real players with Sergio Ramos taking best defender, Luka Modric best midfielder, and Ronaldo best striker.