Erling Haaland And Aitana Bonmati Win UEFA Player Of The Year Awards

Erling Haaland received the 2022/23 UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award on Thursday.

The Manchester City and Norway striker was announced as the winner at the draw ceremony for the Champions League group stage.

Lionel Messi came second in the vote, ahead of Kevin De Bruyne in third.

Haaland scored 52 goals in 53 club games last season, including 12 in 11 Champions League matches to help City become kings of Europe.

The UEFA Women's Player of the Year Award was won by Aitana Bonmati, ahead of Sam Kerr and Olga Carmona.

Midfielder Bonmati played a starring role as Barcelona won the Liga F and the Women's Champions League last season.

Bonmati also recently won FIFA's Golden Ball award after shining brightest in Spain's triumphant campaign at the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Erling Haaland (center) and Aitana Bonmati (right) each won a UEFA Player of the Year Award on Thursday

IMAGO/Sportimage/Jonathan Moscrop

Pep Guardiola was named as the 2022/23 UEFA Men's Coach of the Year as recognition for leading Man City to a famous treble.

England boss Sarina Wiegman won the UEFA Women's Coach of the Year prize.

Wiegman led the Lionesses to glory at UEFA Women's Euro 2022 and the Women's Finalissima, but her side were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the Women's World Cup final earlier this month.

Speaking on Thursday, Wiegman dedicated her award to the Spanish team, whose historic victory has been somewhat marred by the controversy surrounding RFEF president Luis Rubiales. 

Wiegman said: "I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team. This team deserves to be celebrated and to be listened to."