The Frenchman, who played a major role in Bayern's Champions League-winning season, is the first player from a club other than Barcelona and Real Madrid to make the final three since the award was established by European soccer's ruling body in 2011.
Argentina's Lionel Messi won the inaugural award followed by Spaniard Andres Iniesta, his Barcelona team mate, last year.
Messi and Real Madrid and Portugal forward Ronaldo have made the last three in each of the two previous years.
Three of Ribery's team mates at treble-winning Bayern - Thomas Mueller, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger - had made the shortlist of 10 players announced last month.
The winner will be decided by a jury of journalists from each of UEFA's member associations in a live poll on August 29 at the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco.
(Writing by Brian Homewood in Berne; Editing by Robert Woodward)
