In the glitzy surroundings of Monaco, the UEFA Awards ceremony for the 2022/23 season was a night to remember. Celebrating the outstanding achievements of players and coaches in both men’s and women’s football, the event showcased the pinnacle of talent and dedication in the beautiful game. Let’s delve into the highlights of the evening and the deserving winners.
UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year: Pep Guardiola
Despite not being able to attend the ceremony in person due to recent back surgery, Pep Guardiola’s influence on Manchester City’s remarkable 2022/23 season could not be ignored. Leading his team to a historic treble, which included the coveted Champions League title, alongside Premier League and FA Cup triumphs, Guardiola’s tactical brilliance shone brightly throughout the season.
UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year: Sarina Wiegman
England’s head coach, Sarina Wiegman, was rightfully crowned Women’s Coach of the Year for the second consecutive time. Wiegman’s exceptional leadership guided the Lionesses to the 2023 World Cup final, despite facing numerous setbacks during the tournament. Her accolades also include winning the inaugural Women’s Finalissima in April, further cementing her status as one of the top coaches in women’s football.
UEFA Women’s Player of the Year: Aitana Bonmati
Aitana Bonmati’s stellar performance in the 2022/23 season earned her the title of Women’s Player of the Year. The Barcelona midfielder’s crowning moment came when she lifted the Golden Ball at the World Cup, inspiring Spain to their first-ever international trophy. Bonmati had previously achieved glory in the club scene with her second Champions League win and Liga F triumph.
UEFA Men’s Player of the Year: Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland’s incredible 52-goal season left no room for surprises when he was named Men’s Player of the Year. The Norwegian sensation’s prolific scoring rate in the Premier League set a new record, with more than a goal per game. He continued his goal-scoring spree in the Champions League, netting an impressive 12 goals in just 11 appearances. Haaland’s performances throughout the season made him a standout candidate for this prestigious award.
About UEFA Awards
The UEFA Awards ceremony is an annual event that marks the beginning of each new football season. It aims to recognize and honor the exceptional contributions of players and coaches in both men’s and women’s club competitions. Additionally, the UEFA President’s award acknowledges individuals or groups whose impact transcends the boundaries of the game itself.
Categories for UEFA’s Player Awards
The UEFA Player Awards are divided into four categories:
– UEFA Men’s Player of the Year
– UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year
– UEFA Women’s Player of the Year
– UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year
Announcement of the 2022/23 Player Awards
The eagerly anticipated 2022/23 UEFA Awards ceremony took place on August 31, 2023, in the picturesque city of Monaco. The night saw Erling Haaland and Aitana Bonmati take center stage as the deserving winners of the Men’s and Women’s Player of the Year awards.
Selection Process for Player Awards
The process of selecting the winners for the UEFA Player Awards is meticulous and thorough. Let’s take a closer look at how the deserving recipients are determined:
UEFA Men’s Player of the Year
For the Men’s Player of the Year award, the initial shortlist of players is carefully selected by the UEFA technical study group. This selection is based on the players’ performances during the 2022/23 season, both at the club and national team levels. The final three nominees are then chosen by a jury consisting of the coaches of clubs that participated in the group stages of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League, along with the coaches of the men’s senior national teams from UEFA member associations. Journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) are also part of this jury.
Each member of the jury, including coaches and journalists, is tasked with selecting their top three players from the shortlist, allocating them five points, three points, and one point, respectively. The final result is determined by tallying the total number of votes cast by the coaches and journalists. Importantly, coaches are not allowed to vote for players from their own teams, ensuring fairness and objectivity in the selection process.
UEFA Women’s Player of the Year
The process for selecting the Women’s Player of the Year award follows a similar structure. An initial shortlist of players is identified by UEFA technical observers, based on their performances during the 2022/23 season at the club and/or national team level. The final three nominees are then chosen by a jury composed of coaches from clubs participating in the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the coaches of women’s national teams from UEFA member associations. Journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) also play a pivotal role in the jury.
Coaches and journalists participating in the voting process are asked to select their top three players from the shortlist and allocate them five, three, and one point, respectively. The winner is determined by tallying the total number of votes cast by both groups. Similar to the men’s award, coaches are prohibited from voting for players from their own teams, ensuring impartiality and transparency.
In conclusion, the UEFA Awards ceremony for the 2022/23 season was a glittering celebration of football excellence. The deserving winners, including Pep Guardiola, Sarina Wiegman, Aitana Bonmati, and Erling Haaland, served as shining examples of the talent, dedication, and passion that define the beautiful game. These awards not only recognize individual achievements but also inspire the footballing world to aim for greater heights in the seasons to come.
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