Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta have been shortlisted for UEFA's Best Player in Europe award.
Real Madrid forward Ronaldo and Barcelona duo Messi and Iniesta gained the most points in a vote among 53 sports journalists representing each of the European football governing body's member associations.
How Casillas has missed the top 3 is laughable. These awards need to be ridiculed until goalkeepers are given equal respect and praise.
That said, Top 5 covered by 4 La Liga players. Probably the top 10 by 6 or 7.
My top 5 would be;
1st. Casillas; 68 games, 30 clean sheets. Broken several records, won the League and Euro championships. Exceptional keeper that keeps on getting better with age. 12 years in the Spanish squad and winning captain in all 3 major wins for the national side. He also played a critical role in all 3 tournaments. It's about time a keeper won again and Casillas deserves it more than anyone.
2nd. Ronaldo; I'm a Madrid fan but lets be honest, Ronaldo didn't choke in big games this year. He scored in all 4 major Grand Clásico. He scored twice in the Champions League semi-finals. Scoring plenty of goals against poor teams doesn't grant you the best awards. Big goals in big games deserve big awards.
3rd. Messi; Yes he broke several records but he flopped when Barca needed him the most. No Clásico goals outside of the Supercopa (0 in 4 games). No games against Chelsea ever and failed to contribute in other ways in the semi-finals. 3rd is far this season.
4th. Iniesta; Player of the tournament at the Euros (I'd say Casillas, Alba or Ramos myself) and one of the top assisting players in Europe again earns him 4th. He needs to do more for me to get higher.
5th. Xavi; Another Barca legend, one of the finest passes in world football ever. He's 5th only due to lack of playing time this season. Minus his rests, given more games and assists, he could of been higher.
**EDIT**
2 Madrid, 3 Barca.