Berlin, 18 August 2023 (dpa/MIA) — Treble winners Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne have made the shortlist for the UEFA award as the best player in Europe last season along with World Cup winning Lionel Messi.

Haaland was an instant hit at Manchester City with 52 goals as he won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League together with De Bruyne.

Messi played at French champions Paris Saint-Germain and won the World Cup with Argentina in December. He has now left for Inter Miami.

Former City captain Ilkay Gündogan, now at Barcelona, just missed the shortlist for the August 31 awards in fourth place ahead of City midfielder Rodri. French star Kylian Mbappe of PSG was sixth.

City manager Pep Guardiola, Simone Inzaghi from Champions League finalists Inter Milan, and Luciano Spalletti, who led Napoli to a first Serie A title in 33 years, are on the shortlist of coaches.

UEFA said that the shortlists for the women’s player and coaching awards will be announced next week, after Sunday's World Cup final between England and Spain in Sydney.