Messi, Ronaldo in 32-man field for UEFA award

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the obvious candidates. Leslie Davies, though, may raise a few more eyebrows.

UEFA has announced a 32-player list for its Best Player in Europe award in the 2011-12 season with a surprise name among the superstars.

Davies, a midfielder for Welsh Premier League club Bangor City, was nominated by a panel of journalists drawn from UEFA's 53 member countries.

Each jury member submitted five names to create the 32-man slate which will be reduced to a three-player shortlist next month.

The winner will be decided when the same voting panel is polled in Monaco on Aug. 30 when the Champions League groups are drawn.

Bareclona star Messi won the inaugural award last year.