Journalists from UEFA’s 55 member associations provided a list of their five best-ranked players, and the three finalists will be named on 5 August.
The outright winner will be announced during the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on 25 August.
Last year’s winner Lionel Messi is also in the short-list which includes Gianluigi Buffon, Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suárez.
Jamie Vardy, who was 12th, was the highest ranked English player.