Messi, Xavi & Ronaldo up for Uefa award

Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Xavi will fight Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo for the Uefa Best Player in Europe award after the list of nominees was announced.

The inaugural award will take place in August and the final trio have been announced after a jury of 53 sports journalists representing each of the Uefa member associations scaled down the list which included Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, and Barcelona's Andres Iniesta.

A deciding vote to determine which player will win the award takes place on August 25.

Real Madrid join Raphael Varane hunt

Real Madrid are considering making a move for Lens defender Raphael Varane, who has been linked with a €10.5 million move to Manchester United.

L'Equipe reports that the Spanish giants will use Zinedine Zidane's French connections to lure the 18-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu.