By Victor Kanayo
Manchester City FC and Norway striker Erling Haaland has been named the 2022/23 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.
Also, Spain and FC Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was crowned the 2022/23 UEFA Women’s Player of the Year.
The announcement was made during Thursday’s 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage draw, which took place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
Haaland Record
The record-breaking Norwegian goalscorer last season became both the youngest and the fastest player to score 35 Champions League goals, driving his club to its first UEFA Champions League title in Istanbul in June.
Erling Haaland collected a total of 352 points, with Argentina forward Lionel Messi (227 points) and Manchester City FC teammate and Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (225 points) taking second and third places respectively.
Bonmatí Performance
Bonmatí, a Spanish international was a pillar in her club’s victorious UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign last season and made a remarkable and effective contribution to her national team’s victory at the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She collected a total of 308 points, with Chelsea FC Women and Australia forward Sam Kerr (88 points) and Real Madrid CF and Spain defender Olga Carmona (72 points) taking second and third places respectively.
Women’s Best Coach
Sarina Wiegman was voted the 2022/23 UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year.
The Dutch coach, who led the England’s women national team to the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer after having overseen England’s EURO 2022 success last year, collected a total of 211 points in a special poll featuring coaches and journalists.
Spain’s women national team coach Jorge Vilda came second with 163 points, while FC Barcelona coach Jonatan Giráldez was third with 139 points.
Men’s Best Coach
Manchester City FC’s head coach Josep Guardiola was voted the 2022/23 UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year.
The Spanish coach, who guided his team to its first UEFA Champions League title, alongside Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup triumphs, collected a total of 602 points in a special poll featuring coaches and journalists.
SSC Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti came second with 252 points, while FC Internazionale Milano’s head coach Simone Inzaghi was third with 84 points.
