Erling Braut Haaland secured his first UEFA Footballer of the Year award, a prestigious accolade presented by UEFA at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. This Norwegian prodigy, affectionately known as the ‘Goal Machine,’ had previously clinched the Premier League’s Best Footballer award just a few days ago, marking a remarkable run of achievements since his arrival at Manchester City from the German club, Borussia Dortmund, for a substantial 60 million euros. During the 2022-23 season, Haaland showcased his prolific talent by netting an impressive 52 goals across all competitions.
Manchester City accomplished the coveted ‘Treble’ by triumphing in the Premier League, FA Cup, and the Champions League, a feat made possible in part due to Haaland’s outstanding contributions. His debut season in the Premier League was nothing short of spectacular, as he continually shattered records, surpassing the legendary Alan Shearer and Andy Cole with an unrelenting scoring spree, ultimately securing the Premier League title for his team with a remarkable 36 goals. Haaland further etched his name into history as the first Premier League footballer to reach the milestone of 52 goals in a single season.
Erling Braut Haaland was rightfully bestowed with the Consistent Performance Award, solidifying his status as UEFA’s Best Footballer of the Year. Haaland, donning the Manchester City jersey, achieved a record-breaking goal tally, a feat he humbly acknowledged by saying, “It’s an honor for me to win this award. It’s truly gratifying to receive recognition from my peers, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who cast their votes. This season will forever remain etched in my memory, both on an individual level and as part of this extraordinary team. Winning the treble was beyond my wildest dreams.” Haaland’s remarkable 52 goals in 53 matches stood as the highest goal tally by any footballer in a single season in the English Premier League.
In the women’s category, Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati, aged 25, secured the Women’s Champions League title for Barcelona during the previous season and played a pivotal role in Spain’s World Cup victories in Australia and New Zealand. Her exceptional performance earned her the title of the tournament’s Best Player, and she emerged as the victor in the UEFA awards, surpassing her compatriot Olga Carmona, the standout performer in the World Cup final against England, and Chelsea’s prolific striker from Australia, Sam Kerr. A jubilant Aitana Bonmati expressed her sentiments, stating, “This was a season that will forever be etched in my memory.”