UEFA Best Player in Europe Predictions & Analysis: Will Cristiano Ronaldo Top Arjen Robben & Manuel Neuer?

The UEFA Player in Europe award will be presented on Thursday, and some of the finalists are Manuel Neuer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben.

This marks the first time since the award's inception in 2010-11 that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is not among the finalists. It also marks the first time that goaltender finishes among the top three.

But there is one player that has maintained his streak as one of the top three in Europe, and his name is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar has yet to win the award, but is in pole position to take the prize and add it to his 2014 Ballon d'Or. Is this his year? Here is a look at the three candidates:

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo is likely the favorite to win the award. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2014 and finished as the top scorer in Europe. He won the Pichichi award for being Spain's top scorer due to his 31 strikes in 30 appearances. But that number was not the impressive one. In fact, it was the most unimpressive number for Ronaldo. He had scored 34 the year before and had managed 46 in 2011-12.

But what really made Ronaldo stand out in 2013-14 was the record 17 goals in the Champions League. He dominated Europe and led Real Madrid all the way to the famed La Decima. His performance in the final was far from wondrous, but everything else leading up to it was the work of a legend.

Ronaldo's World Cup was poor, but it should not have much baring on this award. His international turn at the end of 2013 was heroic, as his three goals qualified Portugal for the World Cup. It is also rather telling that Ronaldo finished among the Top 3 despite an early group exit in the World Cup. Conversely, Messi led his nation to the final and was not included in the final round of the voting.

Arjen Robben

Robben could easily steal the spotlight, however. He was the main force for Bayern Munich in its double trophy wins in 2013-14. The superstar scored 21 goals for Munich in 2013-14 and was a tremendous workhorse for his club. But Robben's major moment came in Brazil when he singlehandedly carried the Dutch to third place in the tournament with his willpower and brilliant speed. Few will forget the Herculean performance in the Dutch's 5-1 drubbing of the defending World Cup champion Spain. He finished the tournament with three goals and the Silver Ball despite deserving the top individual prize. Robben could get his due by defeating Ronaldo for the UEFA Player of the Year in Europe Award.

Manuel Neuer

Or he could be thwarted by the ultimate wild card: Manuel Neuer. Robben's Bayern Munich teammate is the first goalie to finish among the top three in this award and has had a tremendous year all around. The sweeper keeper was allowed more freedom in Pep Guardiola's new system in 2013-14 and flourished. But his defining moment came in Brazil when he led Germany to the World Cup championship. He was terrific throughout the tournament and made some big saves to keep the team ahead against France and Argentina.

At first glance, Ronaldo looks like the favorite. His club won two trophies and he continued his goal-scoring prowess. But that has not always been enough.

International tournaments could be the major wildcard here. In 2010-11, Messi's poor showing in the Copa America had no bearing on his win as his 53 goals in 55 games more than made up for it. Barcelona's treble in that season certainly helped matters.

A year later, International tournaments meant everything. Messi scored an astounding 73 goals in the entire season while Ronaldo scored 60 in 2011-12 and led Real Madrid to the Spanish league title. But it was Andres Iniesta who wound up with the award after a stellar performance in the Spain's Euro 2012 championship run. Barcelona only managed one major trophy in that season and Iniesta only scored eight goals in 46 club matches.

In 2012-13, Messi scored 60 goals while Ronaldo put up 55. But Franck Ribery walked away with the award after leading Bayern Munich to the treble.

Predictions

Ronaldo's stats are far superior to his other two competitors. But for a fourth straight year, the superstar could be left at the podium without any award to his name.

Who should win? Ronaldo was brilliant in leading Los Blancos to the elusive La Decima and should be the winner here.

Who will win? That is hard to predict. All the players deserve it. But this year seems made for Robben. He was great for club and country in 2013-14.

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