Breaking: Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer nominated for UEFA Men’s Player of the Year

UEFA have announced the top three nominees for their Men’s Player of the Year award, and two Bayern Munich players make the cut. Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer both played key parts in Bayern’s treble winning campaign this season, and they are joined by vaunted Carabao Cup champion Kevin De Bruyne. Thomas Muller unfortunately did not make the top-3, as the Carabao Cup is clearly superior to the continental treble. Maybe he can try again next time.

Here’s the rest of the top 10 (via uefa.com):

• 4. Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) - 53 votes each
• 6. Thomas Müller (Bayern) - 41 votes
• 7. Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) - 39 votes
• 8. Thiago Alcántara (Bayern) - 27 votes
• 9. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern) - 26 votes
• 10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 25 votes

As you can see, Bayern players make up half of the top 10, but the proportion probably should be higher. For example, where is Serge Gnabry? And what about Alphonso Davies?

Anyway, this is the first time since 2014 that Bayern have two players in the top-3 of the Men’s PotY. Back then, it was Arjen Robben and Manuel Neuer, though Cristiano Ronaldo won it that year. This time, Robert Lewandowski is clearly the favorite to win the whole thing, becoming the first Bayern player to do so since Franck Ribery won it all the way back in 2013.

Meanwhile, Bayern coach Hansi Flick has been nominated for the Men’s Coach of the Year award, alongside Julian Nagelsmann and Jurgen Klopp. The top-4 of the award consists elusively of German managers, which shows how Germany has become a breeding ground for world-class coaching talent as of late.

Can Bayern make a clean sweep of the awards? Winning the treble is no ordinary achievement, so we certainly hope so. The awards ceremony will take place at the Champions League draw on Thursday, October 1st. Let’s hope that UEFA add some trophies to our collection.