Sports
Benzema and Putellas win UEFA player of the year prizes
Benzema had been the heavy favorite for the men's award after scoring 15 Champions League goals
![Benzema and Putellas win UEFA player of the year prizes](/media/33964/conversions/barcelona-s-spanish-1280x720.webp)
Istanbul: Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellas were rewarded for outstanding seasons by winning the UEFA men's and women's player of the year prizes at a ceremony in Istanbul on Thursday.
France striker Benzema captained Real Madrid to victory over Liverpool in the Champions League final and scored 15 goals in the competition, while Putellas was the top scorer in the Women's Champions League, helping Barcelona reach the final which they lost to Lyon.
She was expected to lead Spain at the European Championship in July but suffered a serious knee injury days before the tournament started in England.
Putellas limped up several steps to the stage to collect her trophy minutes after the men’s Champions League groups were drawn.
The coaching awards went to the winners of the two biggest events last season – Carlo Ancelotti of Madrid and Sarina Wiegman, who led England to the Euro 2022 title.
Voting was done by coaches whose teams played in European competitions and selected journalists across Europe.
Benzema won from a three-player shortlist that included Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
Ancelotti again beat Jürgen Klopp, whose Liverpool team lost the Champions League final, and Pep Guardiola of Premier League winner Man City.
Putellas won her vote ahead of England forward Beth Mead, who was the Euro 2022 joint top scorer with six goals, and Germany midfielder Lena Oberdorf.
Wiegman again finished ahead of Germany’s Martina Voss-Tecklenburg and Sonia Bompastor of Lyon.
-
Pakistan 2 days ago
Nawaz, Zardari standing on wrong side of history: Fawad
-
Weather 2 days ago
Weather turns pleasant after rains in Lahore, other cities
-
Pakistan 16 hours ago
Bad weather: Flight operations severely affected in Lahore
-
Pakistan 2 days ago
Free Meal Program to start at Islamabad schools from August 5
-
World 2 days ago
Kamala leads Trump 44pc to 42pc in US presidential race
-
Weather 2 days ago
Rain likely at isolated places; humid weather to continue: PMD
-
Pakistan 1 day ago
Imran Khan to contest for Oxford Chancellor’s election from Jail
-
Weather 1 day ago
Cloudy, sunny weather in Lahore, rain also expected