Who are the nominees for the Champions League Positional Awards?
UEFA has declared its list of contenders for the positional awards. It will be announced on August 30 on the day of the UCL draw. Liverpool's Mo Salah will give stiff competition to the two greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the best forward category. There are three players who would be competing in each of the four categories. Further details follow.
Who are fighting it out in the best goal-keeper category?
Keylor Navas, the three-times UCL winner will compete for the best goal-keeper award against legend Gianluigi Buffon (now at PSG) and Roma's Alisson (now at Liverpool). Navas conceded 13 goals in the 2017-18 UCL and managed to keep 2 clean sheets. Buffon conceded 12 goals and kept 2 clean sheets in the tournament. Alisson, however, kept 5 clean sheets and conceded 19 goals.
The nominees in the best defender category
All the three nominated defenders are from Real Madrid. Sergio Ramos conceded 13 goals in 11 appearances, keeping 2 clean sheets. Marcelo is also in the list. He conceded 13, along with scoring 3 goals and providing 3 assists. Varane is the third defender.
Who was the best mid-fielder?
In the list of the best mid-fielders, we will see Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne compete against Real Madrid's Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. De Bruyne made 8 appearances, providing 4 assists and netting in 1. Modric, instrumental in Madrid's phenomenal success, provided one assist and scored once in 11 appearances. Kroos, another hero, provided 3 assists in 12 appearances in the Champions League.
Salah features alongside Messi and Ronaldo in the forwards category
The Egyptian phenomenon was outstanding in the last season, scoring 10 times and providing 5 assists. Messi's performance has been milder this season. He netted in 6 goals and provided 2 assists this season. Ronaldo, the most prolific marksman in the history of this league, rules the roost with a phenomenal haul of 15 goals and 3 assists.
Who were the winners of last season?
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Defender: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Midfielder: Luka Modric (Real Madrid) and Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
