Liverpool defender, Van Dijk, was shortlisted for the award after playing an influential role as they won the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup. He also helped his team finish second place in the Premier League and reached the UEFA Nations League final with Holland earlier in the summer, where they were beaten by Portugal.

Lionel Messi finished top goalscorer in the Champions League and picked up the European Golden Shoe, as well as winning his 10th La Liga title with Barcelona.

For Cristiano Ronaldo, he claimed his first Serie A title with Juventus following his £100m move from Real Madrid, where he scored 28 goals in his first season in Italy. He also led Portugal to Nations League glory, where he was named top scorer at the finals.

The winner will be announced during the Champions League draw on August 29

Robben, who made 606 appearances and scored 210 goals in his19-year playing career, suggested it had been one of toughest choices he had made.

He said: ‘I have decided to put an end to my career as a professional football player. It is without doubt the most difficult decision I have had to make in my career… a decision in which “heart” and “mind” collided. The love for the game gives you the conviction that you can still handle the whole world, as opposed to the reality that not everything works the way you want and you are no longer the 16-year-old boy who had no idea what an injury meant. At the moment I am fit and healthy and as a fan of many other sports I want to keep it that way for the future. So I will definitely stop, but it is good that way.’