The 39-year-old Buffon was a key member of the Juventus side that reached last season’s Champions League final, but he missed out on a first winner’s medal as the Italians were beaten 4-1 by Ronaldo’s Real Madrid in Cardiff.
The shortlist was decided by the 80 coaches of the clubs that played in the Champions League and Europa League group stages, as well as 55 journalists. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has won the award twice, as has Portuguese forward Ronaldo.
Since its inception in 2011, unlike other similar individual awards, the UEFA accolade has not been totally dominated by Ronaldo and Messi. Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta won the honour in 2012, followed by French winger Franck Ribery a year later.
Real Madrid, who have lifted the European Cup in three of the past four seasons, had four players in the top 10, with Luka Modric fourth, Toni Kroos fifth and Sergio Ramos seventh. Argentinian forward Paulo Dybala (sixth) joined his Juve teammate Buffon in being named, while Monaco’s rising teenage star Kylian Mbappe, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and former Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic rounded out the top 10.
Luis Suarez, who scored 37 goals for Barcelona in all competitions last season, missed out, as did his former teammate Neymar, who has since joined Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record 222-million-euro ($260.9mn) move.
Neymar becomes Handicap International ambassador
Neymar-mania, which has engulfed France, landed briefly in neighbouring Switzerland yesterday where the Brazilian star became Handicap International’s first-ever ambassador at a ceremony at the United Nations in Geneva. Paris Saint-Germain’s new prize acquisition told reporters the opportunity to work with the organisation that advocates for the rights of disabled people marked “a unique moment” in his life. The event saw the 25-year-old forward elevated to the top of the giant “Broken Chair” monument, which sits in the main square outside the UN’s European headquarters.
Perched at the top of the monument — erected two decades ago to honour those mutilated by landmines in conflict — Neymar dribbled and kicked balls into the small crowd assembled below, sending a few over the guarded gate of the UN compound.
Speaking later to reporters inside the UN, Neymar said his precise role with Handicap International had not yet been hammered out, but voiced hope it would “be a successful partnership”.
Handicap International said the footballer’s mandate would be advocate for the rights of “people with disabilities in poor countries, victims of natural disasters and conflicts.”
Germany star Hoewedes loses Schalke captaincy
Germany defender Benedikt Hoewedes has lost the Schalke 04 captaincy, with the new Bundesliga season set to kick off on Friday. He had been Schalke’s club captain since July 2011, but is regaining fitness following a groin operation in May.
“He was disappointed, but he accepted the decision and he knows that, with the World Cup a year away, he can concentrate now solely on his football,” explained Schalke director of sport Christian Heidel.
Hoewedes was Germany’s left-back in Brazil three years ago and played every minute of their seven games at the 2014 World Cup. “Even if I don’t agree with the decision, I have to accept it,” said Hoewedes, who has made 44 international appearances, on his Facebook page. “As long as I am a player at FC Schalke, I will do everything I can for the club, the staff, the team and the fans.”
Following his demotion, goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann will captain Schalke with midfielder Leon Goretzka as his deputy.
The 29-year-old Hoewedes is expected to feature against RB Leipzig at home on Saturday in Schalke’s first home league game after Bayern Munich open the new season against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday.
Hoewedes sat out Monday’s 2-0 win at Dynamo Berlin in the first round of the German Cup, when Faehrmann wore the armband.
