Robert Lewandowski won the Player of the Year award last season, but it’s an all-Premier League trio nominated this season — Jorginho and N’Golo Kante represent Chelsea while Kevin de Bruyne did enough for Manchester City to warrant his nomination.
The awards were handed out during the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony in Istanbul.
First award of the night was the UEFA President’s award which goes to Simon Kjaer and the doctors and medical staff who helped save Christian Eriksen’s life during the European Championship.
Chelsea dominated the award night in the men’s category winning four out of available six.
Chelsea’s N’Golo Kanté has been named Midfielder of the Season for the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League.
The French international, 30, beat off competition from Jorginho and Kevin De Bruyne after a remarkable campaign that concluded with Player of the Match performances in the semi-finals and final.
Jorginho beat Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Chelsea team-mate N’Golo Kante to the men’s player of the year award.
Edouard Mendy also picked up silverware, winning UEFA’s men’s Champions League goalkeeper of the year prize.
Chelsea also tasted success in the men’s coach of the year category, with Thomas Tuchel being handed the award after leading the team to victory over Manchester City in the Champions League final in Porto.
Tuchel only took charge at Stamford Bridge in January – after Frank Lampard had led the side into the knockout stage – and oversaw wins against Atletico Madrid, Porto and Real Madrid en route to the final.
Man City’s Ruben Dias won the men’s Champions League defender of the year award, while Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland nailed the forward of the season trophy.
Barcelona dominated the women’s category after winning the treble last season.
Lluis Cortes picked up the UEFA women’s coach of the year award, while Alexia Putellas – who scored Barcelona’s second goal in their 4-0 win against Chelsea in the Champions League final – was named women’s player of the year.
Putellas also won the women’s Champions League midfielder of the year award, while team-mates Jennifer Hermoso and Sandra Panos won the forward’s and goalkeeper’s categories, respectively.
The only non-Barcelona player to claim silverware was Irene Paredes, who was named women’s defender of the year. However, the centre-back has since joined the Spanish side from Paris Saint-Germain.
MOLATsportgist 