UEFA Club Football Awards

Last updated

In recognition of the best players in the UEFA Champions League each year, UEFA gives out several awards to the most outstanding performers of the European club football season. The awards are presented in August each year at a special gala in Monaco; previously, the ceremony would coincide with the UEFA Super Cup, but since the Super Cup was moved to early August in 2014, the UEFA awards ceremony has been combined with the UEFA Champions League group stage draw. Internazionale and Real Madrid are the only teams whose players won all of the available awards in the same season (in the 2009–10 and 2017–18 seasons, respectively).

Contents

For the 2010–11 season, the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award was replaced by the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, but the positional awards returned in 2016–17. Positional awards for players in the UEFA Women's Champions League were introduced in 2019–20.

Player(s) of the Year

UEFA Men's Player of the Year

UEFA Women's Player of the Year

UEFA Champions League Player of the Season

SeasonPlayerClub
2021–22 Flag of France.svg Karim Benzema Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2022–23 Flag of Spain.svg Rodri Flag of England.svg Manchester City
Alexia Putellas was the top scorer in the 2021-22 Champions League. Barcelona femeni Medalla d'Honor del Parlament de Catalunya 09 (Putellas).jpg
Alexia Putellas was the top scorer in the 2021–22 Champions League.
2022-23 Champions League winner Aitana Bonmati. 2019-05-18 Fussball, Frauen, UEFA Women's Champions League, Olympique Lyonnais - FC Barcelona StP 1145 LR10 by Stepro.jpg
2022–23 Champions League winner Aitana Bonmatí.

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of France.svg  France 11
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 11

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of England.svg Manchester City 11
Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid 11

UEFA Women's Champions League Player of the Season

SeasonPlayerClub
2021–22 Flag of Spain.svg Alexia Putellas Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2022–23 Flag of Spain.svg Aitana Bonmatí Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 22

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona 22

Best Goalkeeper

From 1998 to 2009 the Best European Goalkeeper was awarded to the same goalkeepers that won this award.

Men's award

Oliver Kahn, who won this award four times consecutively while with Bayern Munich. Oliver Kahn 06-2004.jpg
Oliver Kahn, who won this award four times consecutively while with Bayern Munich.

*Bold notes a player that won the UEFA Club Footballer Of The Year/UEFA Best Player in Europe award the same year.

SeasonPlayerClub
UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year
1997–98 Flag of Denmark.svg Peter Schmeichel Flag of England.svg Manchester United
1998–99 Flag of Germany.svg Oliver Kahn Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich
1999–2000 Flag of Germany.svg Oliver Kahn Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich
2000–01 Flag of Germany.svg Oliver Kahn Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich
2001–02 Flag of Germany.svg Oliver Kahn Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich
2002–03 Flag of Italy.svg Gianluigi Buffon Flag of Italy.svg Juventus
2003–04 Flag of Portugal.svg Vítor Baía Flag of Portugal.svg Porto
2004–05 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Petr Čech Flag of England.svg Chelsea
2005–06 Flag of Germany.svg Jens Lehmann Flag of England.svg Arsenal
2006–07 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Petr Čech Flag of England.svg Chelsea
2007–08 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Petr Čech Flag of England.svg Chelsea
2008–09 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Edwin van der Sar Flag of England.svg Manchester United
2009–10 Flag of Brazil.svg Júlio César Flag of Italy.svg Internazionale
2010–16Not awarded
UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season
2016–17 Flag of Italy.svg Gianluigi Buffon Flag of Italy.svg Juventus
2017–18 Flag of Costa Rica.svg Keylor Navas Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2018–19 Flag of Brazil.svg Alisson Flag of England.svg Liverpool
2019–20 Flag of Germany.svg Manuel Neuer Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich
2020–21 Flag of Senegal.svg Édouard Mendy Flag of England.svg Chelsea

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 36
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 13
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 22
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 12
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 11
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 11
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 11
Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 11
Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 11

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich 25
Flag of England.svg Chelsea 24
Flag of England.svg Manchester United 22
Flag of Italy.svg Juventus 12
Flag of Portugal.svg Porto 11
Flag of England.svg Arsenal 11
Flag of Italy.svg Internazionale 11
Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid 11
Flag of England.svg Liverpool 11

Women's award

Named to the Squad of the Season and Goalkeeper of the Season, Sandra Panos SandraPanos-2019.jpg
Named to the Squad of the Season and Goalkeeper of the Season, Sandra Paños

*Bold notes a player that won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award the same year.

SeasonPlayerClub
UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season
2019–20 Flag of France.svg Sarah Bouhaddi Flag of France.svg Lyon
2020–21 Flag of Spain.svg Sandra Paños Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of France.svg  France 11
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 11

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of France.svg Lyon 11
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona 11

Best Defender

Men's award

John Terry, who won this award a record three times, all with Chelsea. John Terry during a match vs Everton at Stamford Bridge in 2006.jpg
John Terry, who won this award a record three times, all with Chelsea.

*Bold notes a player that won the UEFA Club Footballer Of The Year/UEFA Best Player in Europe award the same year.

SeasonPlayerClub
UEFA Club Defender of the Year
1997–98 Flag of Spain.svg Fernando Hierro Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
1998–99 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jaap Stam Flag of England.svg Manchester United
1999–2000 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jaap Stam Flag of England.svg Manchester United
2000–01 Flag of Argentina.svg Roberto Ayala Flag of Spain.svg Valencia
2001–02 Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto Carlos Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2002–03 Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto Carlos Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2003–04 Flag of Portugal.svg Ricardo Carvalho Flag of Portugal.svg Porto
2004–05 Flag of England.svg John Terry Flag of England.svg Chelsea
2005–06 Flag of Spain.svg Carles Puyol Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2006–07 Flag of Italy.svg Paolo Maldini Flag of Italy.svg Milan
2007–08 Flag of England.svg John Terry Flag of England.svg Chelsea
2008–09 Flag of England.svg John Terry Flag of England.svg Chelsea
2009–10 Flag of Brazil.svg Maicon Flag of Italy.svg Internazionale
2010–16Not awarded
UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season
2016–17 Flag of Spain.svg Sergio Ramos Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2017–18 Flag of Spain.svg Sergio Ramos Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2018–19 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Virgil van Dijk Flag of England.svg Liverpool
2019–20 Flag of Germany.svg Joshua Kimmich Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich
2020–21 Flag of Portugal.svg Rúben Dias Flag of England.svg Manchester City

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 34
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 23
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 23
Flag of England.svg  England 13
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 22
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 11
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 11
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 11
2019-20 Defender of the Season Wendie Renard Wendie Renard P1780579 (47963861143).jpg
2019–20 Defender of the Season Wendie Renard

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid 35
Flag of England.svg Chelsea 13
Flag of England.svg Manchester United 12
Flag of Spain.svg Valencia 11
Flag of Portugal.svg Porto 11
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona 11
Flag of Italy.svg Milan 11
Flag of Italy.svg Internazionale 11
Flag of England.svg Liverpool 11
Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich 11
Flag of England.svg Manchester City 11

Women's award

Captain Irene Paredes, who led PSG to their first ever league title. 20180912 UEFA Women's Champions League 2019 SKN - PSG 850 5428 (cropped).jpg
Captain Irene Paredes, who led PSG to their first ever league title.

*Bold notes a player that won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award the same year.

SeasonPlayerClub
UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season
2019–20 Flag of France.svg Wendie Renard Flag of France.svg Lyon
2020–21 Flag of Spain.svg Irene Paredes Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of France.svg  France 11
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 11

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of France.svg Lyon 11
Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain 11

Best Midfielder

Men's award

Gaizka Mendieta, who won this award twice in a row with Valencia. Mendieta 95-96.jpg
Gaizka Mendieta, who won this award twice in a row with Valencia.
Deco, who won the award with two different clubs: Porto and Barcelona. Deco 21dec2006.jpg
Deco, who won the award with two different clubs: Porto and Barcelona.

*Bold notes a player who also won the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year/UEFA Best Player in Europe award the same year.

SeasonPlayerClub
UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year
1997–98 Flag of France.svg Zinedine Zidane Flag of Italy.svg Juventus
1998–99 Flag of England.svg David Beckham Flag of England.svg Manchester United
1999–2000 Flag of Spain.svg Gaizka Mendieta Flag of Spain.svg Valencia
2000–01 Flag of Spain.svg Gaizka Mendieta Flag of Spain.svg Valencia
2001–02 Flag of Germany.svg Michael Ballack Flag of Germany.svg Bayer Leverkusen
2002–03 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Pavel Nedvěd Flag of Italy.svg Juventus
2003–04 Flag of Portugal.svg Deco Flag of Portugal.svg Porto
2004–05 Flag of Brazil.svg Kaká Flag of Italy.svg Milan
2005–06 Flag of Portugal.svg Deco Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2006–07 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Clarence Seedorf Flag of Italy.svg Milan
2007–08 Flag of England.svg Frank Lampard Flag of England.svg Chelsea
2008–09 Flag of Spain.svg Xavi Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2009–10 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Wesley Sneijder Flag of Italy.svg Internazionale
2010–16Not awarded
UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season
2016–17 Flag of Croatia.svg Luka Modrić Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2017–18 Flag of Croatia.svg Luka Modrić Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2018–19 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Frenkie de Jong Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ajax
2019–20 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kevin De Bruyne Flag of England.svg Manchester City
2020–21 Flag of France.svg N'Golo Kanté Flag of England.svg Chelsea

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 33
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 23
Flag of England.svg  England 22
Flag of France.svg  France 22
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 12
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 12
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 11
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 11
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 11
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 11

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of Italy.svg Juventus 22
Flag of Italy.svg Milan 22
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona 22
Flag of England.svg Chelsea 22
Flag of Spain.svg Valencia 12
Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid 12
Flag of England.svg Manchester United 11
Flag of Germany.svg Bayer Leverkusen 11
Flag of Portugal.svg Porto 11
Flag of Italy.svg Internazionale 11
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ajax 11
Flag of England.svg Manchester City 11

Women's award

*Bold notes a player that won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award the same year.

SeasonPlayerClub
UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season
2019–20 Flag of Germany.svg Dzsenifer Marozsán Flag of France.svg Lyon
2020–21 Flag of Spain.svg Alexia Putellas Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 11
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 11

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of France.svg Lyon 11
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona 11

Best Forward

Men's award

Cristiano Ronaldo won this award a joint-record three times, and is the only player to win with multiple clubs. Ronaldo in 2018 (cropped).jpg
Cristiano Ronaldo won this award a joint-record three times, and is the only player to win with multiple clubs.

*Bold notes a player who won the UEFA Club Footballer Of The Year/UEFA Best Player in Europe award the same year.

SeasonPlayerClub
UEFA Club Forward of the Year
1997–98 Flag of Brazil.svg Ronaldo Flag of Italy.svg Internazionale
1998–99 Flag of Ukraine.svg Andriy Shevchenko Flag of Ukraine.svg Dynamo Kyiv
1999–2000 Flag of Spain.svg Raúl Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2000–01 Flag of Spain.svg Raúl Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2001–02 Flag of Spain.svg Raúl Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2002–03 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Ruud van Nistelrooy Flag of England.svg Manchester United
2003–04 Flag of Spain.svg Fernando Morientes Flag of France.svg Monaco
2004–05 Flag of Brazil.svg Ronaldinho Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2005–06 Flag of Cameroon.svg Samuel Eto'o Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2006–07 Flag of Brazil.svg Kaká Flag of Italy.svg Milan
2007–08 Flag of Portugal.svg Cristiano Ronaldo Flag of England.svg Manchester United
2008–09 Flag of Argentina.svg Lionel Messi Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2009–10 Flag of Argentina.svg Diego Milito Flag of Italy.svg Internazionale
2010–16Not awarded
UEFA Champions League Forward of the Season
2016–17 Flag of Portugal.svg Cristiano Ronaldo Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2017–18 Flag of Portugal.svg Cristiano Ronaldo Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2018–19 Flag of Argentina.svg Lionel Messi Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2019–20 Flag of Poland.svg Robert Lewandowski Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich
2020–21 Flag of Norway.svg Erling Haaland Flag of Germany.svg Borussia Dortmund

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 24
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 33
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 23
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 13
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 11
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 11
Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 11
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 11
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 11
Two-time Player of the Year and 2019-20 Forward of the Season Pernille Harder. 2019-03-27 Fussball, Frauen, UEFA Women's Champions League, VfL Wolfsburg - Olympique Lyonnais StP 3615 by Stepro.jpg
Two-time Player of the Year and 2019–20 Forward of the Season Pernille Harder.

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid 25
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona 34
Flag of England.svg Manchester United 22
Flag of Italy.svg Internazionale 22
Flag of Ukraine.svg Dynamo Kyiv 11
Flag of France.svg Monaco 11
Flag of Italy.svg Milan 11
Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich 11
Flag of Germany.svg Borussia Dortmund 11

Women's award

*Bold notes a player that won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award the same year.

SeasonPlayerClub
UEFA Champions League Forward of the Season
2019–20 Flag of Denmark.svg Pernille Harder Flag of Germany.svg VfL Wolfsburg
2020–21 Flag of Spain.svg Jennifer Hermoso Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 11
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 11

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of Germany.svg VfL Wolfsburg 11
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona 11

Coach(es) of the Year

European Football Coach of the Season

SeasonCoach(es)Club(s)
1997–98 Flag of Italy.svg Marcello Lippi Flag of Italy.svg Juventus
1998–99 Flag of Scotland.svg Alex Ferguson Flag of England.svg Manchester United
1999–2000 Flag of Argentina.svg Héctor Cúper Flag of Spain.svg Valencia
2000–01 Flag of Germany.svg Ottmar Hitzfeld Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich
2001–02 Flag of Spain.svg Vicente del Bosque Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2002–03 Flag of Italy.svg Carlo Ancelotti
Flag of Portugal.svg José Mourinho
Flag of Italy.svg Milan
Flag of Portugal.svg Porto
2003–04 Flag of Portugal.svg José Mourinho
Flag of Spain.svg Rafael Benítez
Flag of Portugal.svg Porto
Flag of Spain.svg Valencia
2004–05 Flag of Spain.svg Rafael Benítez
Flag of Russia.svg Valery Gazzaev
Flag of England.svg Liverpool
Flag of Russia.svg CSKA Moscow
2005–06 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Frank Rijkaard
Flag of Spain.svg Juande Ramos
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
Flag of Spain.svg Sevilla

UEFA Men's Coach of the Year

SeasonCoachTeam(s)
2019–20 Flag of Germany.svg Hansi Flick Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich
2020–21 Flag of Germany.svg Thomas Tuchel Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain
Flag of England.svg Chelsea
2021–22 Flag of Italy.svg Carlo Ancelotti Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2022–23 Flag of Spain.svg Pep Guardiola Flag of England.svg Manchester City

By country

CountryCoachesWins
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 45
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 33
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 23
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 12
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 11
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 11
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 11
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 11

By club

ClubCoachesWins
Flag of Spain.svg Valencia 22
Flag of Germany.svg Bayern Munich 22
Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid 22
Flag of Portugal.svg Porto 12
Flag of Italy.svg Juventus 11
Flag of England.svg Manchester United 11
Flag of Italy.svg Milan 11
Flag of England.svg Liverpool 11
Flag of Russia.svg CSKA Moscow 11
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona 11
Flag of Spain.svg Sevilla 11
Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain 11
Flag of England.svg Chelsea 11
Flag of England.svg Manchester City 11

UEFA Women's Coach of the Year

SeasonCoachTeam(s)
2019–20 Flag of France.svg Jean-Luc Vasseur Flag of France.svg Lyon
2020–21 Flag of Spain.svg Lluís Cortés Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2021–22 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Sarina Wiegman Flag of England.svg  England
2022–23 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Sarina Wiegman Flag of England.svg  England

By country

CountryCoachesWins
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 12
Flag of France.svg  France 11
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 11

By club

ClubCoachesWins
Flag of England.svg  England 12
Flag of France.svg Lyon 11
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona 11

UEFA Technical Observers Best Goal of the Season

This award is chosen by UEFA Technical Observers as the best goal of the season. Cristiano Ronaldo has won this award twice, more than any other player.

SeasonPlayerTeam
2014–15 Flag of South Korea.svg Son Heung-min [1] Flag of Germany.svg Bayer Leverkusen
2015–16 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Stephan Lichtsteiner [2] Flag of Italy.svg Juventus
2016–17 Flag of Croatia.svg Mario Mandžukić [3] Flag of Italy.svg Juventus
2017–18 Flag of Portugal.svg Cristiano Ronaldo [4] Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2018–19 Flag of Portugal.svg Cristiano Ronaldo [5] Flag of Italy.svg Juventus
2019–20 Flag of Argentina.svg Lionel Messi [6] Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2020–21Not awarded
2021–22 Flag of France.svg Karim Benzema [7] Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2022–23 Flag of Norway.svg Erling Haaland [8] Flag of England.svg Manchester City

UEFA Fans' Goal of the Tournament

This award is voted by the fans as the best goal of the season. Lionel Messi has won this award four times, more than any other player.

SeasonPlayerTeam
2014–15 Flag of Argentina.svg Lionel Messi Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2015–16 Flag of Argentina.svg Lionel Messi Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2016–17 Flag of Croatia.svg Mario Mandžukić Flag of Italy.svg Juventus
2017–18 Flag of Portugal.svg Cristiano Ronaldo Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid
2018–19 Flag of Argentina.svg Lionel Messi Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona
2019–20Not awarded
2020–21 Flag of Iran.svg Mehdi Taremi Flag of Portugal.svg Porto
2021–22 Flag of Spain.svg Thiago Flag of England.svg Liverpool
2022–23 Flag of Argentina.svg Lionel Messi [9] Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain

By country

CountryPlayersWins
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 14
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 11
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 11
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 11
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 11

By club

ClubPlayersWins
Flag of Spain.svg Barcelona 13
Flag of Italy.svg Juventus 11
Flag of England.svg Liverpool 11
Flag of Portugal.svg Porto 11
Flag of Spain.svg Real Madrid 11
Flag of France.svg Paris Saint-Germain 11

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cristiano Ronaldo</span> Portuguese footballer (born 1985)

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Portugal national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards, a record three UEFA Men's Player of the Year Awards, and four European Golden Shoes, the most by a European player. He has won 33 trophies in his career, including seven league titles, five UEFA Champions Leagues, the UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League. Ronaldo holds the records for most appearances (183), goals (140) and assists (42) in the Champions League, goals in the European Championship (14), international goals (128) and international appearances (205). He is one of the few players to have made over 1,200 professional career appearances, the most by an outfield player, and has scored over 850 official senior career goals for club and country, making him the top goalscorer of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Koeman</span> Dutch football manager (born 1963)

Ronald Koeman is a Dutch professional football manager and former player who is the manager of the Netherlands national team. Koeman scored over 250 goals whilst playing in defence for the majority of his career. Koeman was capable of playing both as a defender and as a midfielder; he frequently played as a sweeper, although he was equally known for his goalscoring, long-range shooting, and accuracy from free kicks and penalties. Because of his goalscoring, he is considered one of the best attacking center backs of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xavi</span> Spanish footballer and manager (born 1980)

Xavier Hernández i Creus, also known as Xavi Hernández or simply Xavi, is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who manages La Liga club Barcelona. Widely considered one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Xavi was renowned for his passing, vision, ball retention, and positioning. He won 32 trophies in his career, making him the second-most decorated Spanish player in history, behind former teammate Andrés Iniesta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lionel Messi</span> Argentine footballer (born 1987)

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and the Argentina national team. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has won a record eight Ballon d'Or awards, a record six European Golden Shoes, and was named the world's best player for a record eight times by FIFA. Until leaving the club in 2021, he had spent his entire professional career with Barcelona, where he won a club-record 34 trophies, including ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey titles, and the UEFA Champions League four times. With his country, he won the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A prolific goalscorer and creative playmaker, Messi holds the records for most goals in La Liga (474), most hat-tricks in La Liga (36) and the UEFA Champions League (eight), and most assists in La Liga (192) and the Copa América (17). He also has the most international goals by a South American male (106). Messi has scored over 800 senior career goals for club and country, and has the most goals by a player for a single club (672).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Lewandowski</span> Polish footballer (born 1988)

Robert Lewandowski is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a striker for La Liga club Barcelona and captains the Poland national team. He is regarded as one of the best players of his generation and as one of the best strikers of all time, as well as one of the most successful players in Bundesliga and Bayern Munich history. He has scored over 600 senior career goals for club and country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neymar</span> Brazilian footballer (born 1992)

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, also known as Neymar Júnior, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Brazil national team. Regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, he is renowned for his flamboyant style of play, passing abilities, and two-footedness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 UEFA Champions League final</span> Association football match in London

The 2011 UEFA Champions League final was an association football match played on 28 May 2011 at Wembley Stadium in London that decided the winner of the 2010–11 season of the UEFA Champions League. The winners received the European Champion Clubs' Cup. The 2011 final was the culmination of the 56th season of the tournament, and the 19th in the Champions League era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sergio Busquets</span> Spanish footballer (born 1988)

Sergio Busquets Burgos is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. A deep-lying playmaker capable of directing gameplay through short and calm passes and his singular reading of the game, he is regarded as one of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award</span> Association football award

The UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award is an association football award given to the footballer playing for a men's football club in Europe that is considered the best in the previous season of both club and national team competition. The award, created in 2011 by UEFA in partnership with European Sports Media (ESM) group, was initially aimed at reviving the European Footballer of the Year Award, which was merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 2010 to become the FIFA Ballon d'Or. It also replaced the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paulo Dybala</span> Argentine footballer (born 1993)

Paulo Bruno Exequiel Dybala is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Serie A club Roma and the Argentina national team. He is noted by sports journalists for his dribbling, speed, and goal-scoring ability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 UEFA Champions League final</span> The final of the 2014–15 edition of the UEFA Champions League

The 2015 UEFA Champions League final was the final match of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League, the 60th season of Europe's premier club football tournament organised by UEFA, and the 23rd season since it was renamed from the European Champion Clubs' Cup to the UEFA Champions League. It was played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, on 6 June 2015, between Italian side Juventus and Spanish side Barcelona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014–15 FC Barcelona season</span> 115th season of Spanish football club

The 2014–15 season was Futbol Club Barcelona's 115th in existence and the club's 84th consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football. This was the first of the three seasons under head coach Luis Enrique.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Messi–Ronaldo rivalry</span> Football rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

The Messi–Ronaldo rivalry, or Ronaldo–Messi rivalry, is a sporting rivalry in football propelled by the media and fans that involves Argentine footballer Lionel Messi and Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, mainly for being contemporaries and due to their similar records and sporting successes. They spent nine seasons in the prime of their careers facing off regularly while playing for rival clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018–19 UEFA Champions League</span> 64th season of the UEFA club football tournament

The 2018–19 UEFA Champions League was the 64th season of Europe's premier club football tournament organised by UEFA, and the 27th season since it was renamed from the European Champion Clubs' Cup to the UEFA Champions League. For the first time, the video assistant referee (VAR) system was used in the competition from the round of 16 onward.

The 2019–20 UEFA Women's Champions League was the 19th edition of the European women's club football championship organised by UEFA, and the 11th edition since being rebranded as the UEFA Women's Champions League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedri</span> Spanish footballer (born 2002)

Pedro González López, more commonly known as Pedri, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays primarily as a central-midfielder for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team.

References

  1. UEFA.com. "Goal of the Season: see the 2014/15 winners". UEFA.com. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  2. "Goal of the Season: see the 2015/16 winners". UEFA.com. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  3. "Mario Mandžukić Wins UEFA Goal of Season!". Total-Croatia News. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  4. UEFA.com. "Goal of the Season: see the 2017/18 winners". UEFA.com. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
  5. "UEFA.com Goal of the Season". UEFA.com. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  6. "Top ten goals of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League". UEFA.com. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  7. UEFA.com (31 May 2022). "2021/22 UEFA Champions League Goal of the Season: Karim Benzema tops Technical Observer selection". UEFA.com. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  8. "2022/23 UEFA Champions League Goal of the Season: Erling Haaland tops Technical Observer selection". UEFA.com. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  9. "Lionel Messi tops fan vote for best goal of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League". UEFA.com . 29 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.