On Thursday, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola were awarded the UEFA accolades for the best men’s player and coach of the year, respectively. Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmati and Sarina Wiegman, the women’s winners, addressed the current turmoil in Spanish soccer during their speeches.
Haaland, a Norwegian striker, emerged victorious over his teammate Kevin De Bruyne and 2022 World Cup champion Lionel Messi, following his instrumental role in City’s triumph in three major competitions: the Champions League, English Premier League, and FA Cup. The 22-year-old, who was recently named England’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year, scored an impressive 52 goals in 53 matches across all competitions last season.
“I won the treble at the age of 22. I’m kind of living the dream,” he said at the ceremony in Monaco.
“This season is about keeping my head clear. Even more eyes will be on me and my team after winning the Champions League. We have to be sharper and more prepared.”
Guardiola has been voted as the winner of the Coach of the Year award, surpassing Italians Luciano Spalletti and Simone Inzaghi. Spalletti led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, while Inzaghi’s Inter Milan side were Champions League runners-up and won the Italian Cup. Unfortunately, the Spanish manager was unable to attend the ceremony to receive the award due to his ongoing recovery from back surgery.
Meanwhile, Sarina Wiegman, the coach of the England women’s team, was awarded the Women’s Coach of the Year prize. Wiegman led the Lionesses to the World Cup final this year and also secured a victory in the Finalissima against Brazil at Wembley in April. In her acceptance speech, Wiegman dedicated her award to the Spain women’s team, who recently won their first Women’s World Cup title. This was in light of the kiss incident involving federation president Luis Rubiales, which had taken the spotlight during the tournament.
“(Receiving this award) feels a little different,” Wiegman said. “We all know the issues around the Spanish team and it really hurts me as a coach, as a mother of two daughters, as a wife and as a human being.
“The game has grown so much but there’s also still a long way to go in women’s football and society.
“I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team – the team that played in a World Cup such great football that everyone enjoys. This team deserves to be celebrated and listened to.”
