Football
ESPN staff 7y

Cristiano Ronaldo, Christian Pulisic, David Villa nominated for ESPY awards

Cristiano Ronaldo and Christian Pulisic are among the nominees for ESPN's 2017 ESPY awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award).

Real Madrid forward Ronaldo has been nominated in the best international athlete category after winning the European Championship with Portugal and a La Liga and Champions League double with his club in the past 12 months

Ronaldo, who won the same category last year, will come up against boxer Canelo Alvarez, sprinter Usain Bolt, swimmer Katinka Hosszu and MMA fighter Conor McGregor as he defends his title.

Lionel Messi won the same award in 2015 after helping Argentina reach the 2014 World Cup final and winning a Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble with Barcelona.

United States and Borussia Dortmund attacker Pulisic, meanwhile, is up for the breakthrough athlete award after becoming a key player for club and country.

The 18-year-old, who is contracted to Dortmund until 2020, helped them reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League and was the only player at the club to feature in every game in 2017 so far.

His rivals for the honour are basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo, gymnast Laurie Hernandez, baseball player Aaron Judge and American footballer Dak Prescott.

David Villa of New York City, Bradley Wright-Phillips of New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union's Andre Blake, Stefan Frei of Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas' Matt Hedges are the five nominees in the running for best MLS player. Last year's winner Sebastian Giovinco does not make the cut meaning he cannot retain his title.

Peyton Manning will present the 25th ESPY awards on July 12, which you can vote for here.

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