Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribery will contest the title of Best Player in Europe when journalists across the continent cast their vote on Aug 29 in Monaco, UEFA said Tuesday.

The three emerged on the shortlist from an original list of 10.

UEFA president Michel Platini began the initiative two years ago with Messi and his Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta winning the first two editions.