De Bruyne, Benzema and Courtois up for UEFA Player of the Year award

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Real Madrid duo Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois have been nominated for the 2021-22 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award.

The trio topped a 15-player shortlist, with the winner set to be announced at the draw for the Champions League group stage on 25 August.

The men’s coach of the year will also be revealed at the draw in Istanbul, with Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola of Manchester City and Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti the contenders.

Benzema and Courtois helped Real seal a record 14th European title last season while De Bruyne guided City to the Premier League title - his fourth crown in seven seasons at the club.

Liverpool quartet Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho were named on the initial shortlist for the player award, along with former team-mate Sadio Mane.

UEFA will name the nominees for the women's awards next week.