History and procedure

The UEFA Best Player in Europe Award was created in partnership with European Sports Media with the women's award added in 2013. It recognises the best player, irrespective of nationality, playing for a club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the past season.

Players are judged on their performances during the 2015/16 campaign – in all competitions and at club and national team level – by jury composed of 20 journalists, each committed to supporting women’s football and selected by the European Sports Media Group (ESM).

First round of voting
The coaches of the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finalists and those of the 12 top-ranked countries in Europe according to the national team coefficient ranking provide a list of their five best-ranking players from one to five, with the first player receiving five points, the second four points and so on. The top ten are then shortlisted for another round of voting (or more in the case of a tie for tenth place).

Second round of voting
The jury of 20 journalists vote, with the top three players shortlisted.

Final round of voting
The final vote takes place ahead of the ceremony for the UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on 25 August, where the winner will be announced.

History
The UEFA Best Player in Europe Award replaced the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year prize, last claimed in 2010 by FC Internazionale Milano's Diego Milito. That accolade formed part of the UEFA Club Football Awards – which also included honours for best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward and coach – and had been presented in Monaco each August since 1998. The women's award was introduced in 2013, Nadine Angerer voted the inaugural winner.