DPA
Berlin
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was named men’s player of the year, while his boss Pep Guardiola was named men’s coach of the year, European ruling body UEFA said on Thursday.
Haaland and Guardiola led City to a treble winning season last term, which included the team’s first-ever Champions League title.
The striker, who beat world champion Lionel Messi and team-mate Kevin De Bruyne for the award, scored 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions, with 12 goals in the Champions League.
“To be able to do this with my team-mates it’s really special and it gives me motivation to keep working,” Haaland said.
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named women’s player of the year after a season in which her teams won the women’s Champions League and women’s World Cup - Bonmati named player of the tournament in both.
“It’s a season I will never forget and I want to share this award with all my team-mates. I wouldn’t be here without them,” she said.
Earlier this month, Bonmati and Spain won their maiden World Cup title in Australia and New Zealand, but the celebrations have been overshadowed after Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the victory ceremony.
“We’re not talking about the title because things that should not happened have taken place. As a society, we should not allow abuse of power in the work environment,” Bonmati said.
“I would like to tell my team-mate Jenni and all women who have been through the same thing: We’re with you. We’re working to make this a better society.”
England coach Sarina Wiegman was named women’s coach of the year after leading her nation to the World Cup final.
She said the crisis surrounding Spanish football in the wake of their World Cup win shows there is still a “long way to go” in the women’s game and society.
“I would like to dedicate this award to the Spanish team. This team deserves to be celebrated and deserves to be listened to, and I’m going to give them again a big applause and I hope you will join.”
