Alexia Putellas will go down in history as the first Spanish footballer to achieve individual institutional recognition. The Barcelona captain has been recognized as ‘UEFA Best Player’ of the 2020/21 season after winning in the final vote (50 points) her teammates Jenni Hermoso (42 points) and Lieke Martens (40 points). The protagonist, who could not attend the awards gala held at the Haliç Congress in Istanbul, intervened through a video in which she showed her happiness for the award.
“I want to thank the teammates who also made last year’s successful season possible. This has been won by the whole team, the whole club, it is a success that there are so many nominees and winners from Barça. Also thank the fans that have supported me always and tell them that we are going for more “, resolved the great protagonist.
The one from Mollet del Vallès was the most voted player in a jury made up of eight technicians (from the eighth finalist teams of the Champions League), twelve selectors (of the best powers in the UEFA ranking) and twenty specialized journalists chosen by the ESM among which is MARCA.
Alexia putellas led a podium completed by her Barcelona teammates Jenni Beautiful and Lieke martens. The top ten completed it Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal, 32 points); Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona, 29 points); Caroline graham hansen (Barcelona, 28 points); Sam kerr (Chelsea, 18 points); Fran kirby (Chelsea, 17 points); Pernille Harder (Chelsea, 17 points); and Irene Paredes (PSG / Barcelona, 11 points).
Cortés, the best coach
The other individual award of the gala was also dyed Barça since Lluís Cortés, who was coach of the culé team last year (151 points) won the vote for ‘Best UEFA Coach’ to their counterparts Emma hayes (Chelsea, 78 points) and Peter gerhardsson (Sweden, 37 points). “I want to thank UEFA and the jury. It is an honor and a pleasure after so many years working in women’s football. I also want to thank Barcelona, the staff. board of directors and players. I want to wish the best to all the teams for this season, which will surely be very beautiful, “said the coach.
The top ten included Olivier Echouafni (PSG, 24 points); Jens scheuer (Bayern Munich, 17 points); Rita Guarino (Juventus, 10 points); Anna signeul (Finland, 10 points); Sarina wireman (Netherlands, 7 points); Gareth taylor (Manchester City, 5 points); and Jorge Vilda (Spain, 1 point).
Barcelona dominance line by line
Barcelona also dominated the awards for the best players in the Champions League last season line by line. Sandra Paños prevailed in the vote as ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Champions League’ (95 points) to Christiane Endler (PSG, 90 points) and Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea, 60 points). “I am super happy and excited to receive this award. I want to remember Tiane and Berger who are two great goalkeepers. Thank my teammates, the coaching staff and my family who are always there,” said the goal from Alicante in his speech.
Irene Paredes, one of the three signings that Barcelona has made this summer, won in the vote (62 points) for ‘Best Defense for UEFA’ her now teammate Mapi León (56 points) and Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea, 42 points ). “Thank the staff and to my colleagues from PSG who with their efforts and mine I manage to win this award; to my family and my partner Lucía, who help me achieve my goals. I am very happy to receive it and we work every day to obtain collective titles and we will continue to do so to offer more individual and group titles, “said the captain of the Spanish team.
Alexia’s ‘Double’
Alexia Putellas won the vote for ‘Best Midfielder in the Champions’ by beating his teammate Aitana Bonmatí (65 points) and Ji So-yun (Chelsea, 15 points) in the vote. “I am very happy. It is very exciting for me for the rest of the nominees who are great footballers. I want to thank the people who have voted for me and especially my teammates since last season was very successful,” the captain resolved. From Barcelona.
For its part, Jenni Hermoso prevailed in the vote for ‘Best Forward of the Champions’ to her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Lieke Martens. “I am very proud and happy and I wanted to thank all those who have made it possible. To my colleagues, with whom we had an exceptional season, and my family, since without them this would not be possible. To finish I wanted to send a message to all those children who are starting: that with a lot of work and enthusiasm all the dreams that are proposed can be fulfilled, “said the top scorer in the Spanish League and the Champions League last year.