UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin applauds as Erling Haaland and Aitana Bonmati holds their UEFA Player of the Year awards| Photo Credit: Daniel Cole
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and supervisor Pep Guardiola received UEFA awards on Thursday for the very best males's participant and coach of the yr as girls's winners Aitana Bonmati and Sarina Wiegman addressed the turmoil in Spanish soccer of their speeches.
Norwegian Haaland beat his staff mate Kevin De Bruyne and 2022 World Cup champion Lionel Messi after helping City win three major trophies — the Champions League, English Premier League and FA Cup.
The 22-year-old, who on Tuesday was named England's Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year, scored 52 targets in 53 matches throughout all competitions final season.
"I won the treble at the age of 22. I'm kind of living the dream," he mentioned on 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 was voted for coach of the yr forward of Italians Luciano Spalletti, who led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, and Simone Inzaghi whose Inter Milan facet have been Champions League runners-up and received the Italian Cup.
The Spanish supervisor was not current to obtain the award as he's recovering from his again surgical procedure.
England coach Sarina Wiegman took the prize for the Women's Coach of the Year after main the Lionesses to this yr's World Cup remaining and victory within the Finalissima towards Brazil at Wembley in April.
Wiegman devoted her award to the Spain girls's staff after the kiss incident involving federation president Luis Rubiales took the highlight when Spain secured their first Women's World Cup title.
"(Receiving this award) feels a little different," Wiegman mentioned. "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 sport has grown a lot however there's additionally nonetheless a protracted option to go in girls's soccer and society.
"I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team - the tam that played in a World Cup such great football that everyone enjoys. This team deserves to be celebrated and listened to."
World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati, who helped Barcelona to Women's Champions League and Spanish league title, received the ladies's participant of the yr award.
The 25-year-old registered a competition-high 13 objective contributions within the Champions League with 5 targets and eight assists.
"I would like to thank Sarina for her words because this is not a good moment in Spanish football," Bonmati mentioned.
"We have just won the World Cup, but they are talking about other things."
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