Six-time winner Messi ended his wait for a major international trophy after winning the Copa America with Argentina, while Frenchman Kante and Jorginho helped Chelsea claim its second Champions League.

Kante was UEFA's Player of the Match in both semi-final legs against Real Madrid, as well as the final against Manchester City, while Jorginho was integral to Italy's Euro 2020 triumph.

The Italian was also named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year.

Harry Kane is among the 13 Premier League players nominated, with England team-mates Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling also included.

Jorginho's compatriots Nicolo Barella, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Gianluigi Donnarumma join him on the shortlist.

Kante's countrymen Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe have also been selected.

Spain's Cesar Azpilicueta, Gerard Moreno and Pedri feature thanks to their semi-final EURO 2020 exploits, and Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku of Belgium are included after stellar campaigns in the Premier League and Serie A respectively, as well as impressing on the international stage.

Five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo has been shortlisted although he is touted to have an outside chance of equalling Messi's record.

The 36-year-old is joined by Portuguese teammates Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes.

Erling Haaland of Norway, Denmark's Simon Kjaer, Robert Lewandowski of Poland, Algerian Riyad Mahrez, Croatia's Luka Modric, Brazilian Neymar, Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Uruguayan Luis Suarez make up the rest of the shortlist.

For the women's award, UEFA Women's Player of the Year Putellas is tipped to also claim the Ballon d'Or after captaining Barcelona to the league, domestic cup and Champions League treble last season.

Denmark's Pernille Harder is the only player out of the six finalists from the previous two years to be included in the 2021 list.

England's Fran Kirby is a frontrunner for the award after scoring 16 goals in 18 games to help Chelsea win the Women's Super League.

She was also named Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and Football Writers' Association (FWA) Player of the Year.

Ellen White is the only other English player in contention.

The Netherland's Vivienne Miedema scored 25 goals in 26 games and has cemented her status as Arsenal's best player.

Lieke Martens is the only other Dutch player.

Christine Sinclair, Jessie Fleming and Ashley Lawrence starred in Canada's Olympic gold medal-winning campaign and are duly nominated for the award.

French trio Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Wendie Renard and Kadidiatou Diani are listed.

As well as Putellas, Spain is represented by Sandra Panos, Irene Paredes and Hermoso.

Swedes Magdalena Eriksson and Stina Blackstenius have also been nominated.

Australia's Sam Kerr, American Samantha Mewis and Christine Endler of Chile make up the rest of the nominees.

The winner of the awards, which is organised by France Football, will be announced on 29 November at Paris' Theatre du Chatelet in France.