SPORTS: The top three candidates for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award are Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois, and Kevin De Bruyne, the European governing body announced on Friday.
The winner will be revealed on August 25 in Istanbul at the group stage draw for the 2022–23 Champions League.
After leading Real Madrid to a record-breaking 14th European championship, Benzema was voted the Champions League Player of the Season.
The Frenchman is competing against teammate and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for the individual honor.
For the third consecutive season, De Bruyne has placed among the top three.
After assisting Manchester City FC in winning yet another domestic championship, he was selected as the Premier League player of the year.
Men’s Coach of the Year and Women’s Player and Coach of the Year are two additional honors.
The top three candidates for the men’s coach of the year award are Jürgen Klopp of Liverpool, Josep Guardiola of Manchester City, and Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid.
Benzema re-established himself as one of the top players in the world by scoring 44 goals in just 46 appearances, including several crucial goals as Los Blancos won their 14th European Cup. He is widely regarded as the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or this year.
The man of the match performance in May’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool came from Courtois, who hushed many doubters and even declared as much in the press. Courtois pulled off a series of incredible saves to keep the Reds from winning.
On the other hand man of the match performance in May’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool came from Courtois, who hushed many doubters and even declared as much in the press. Courtois pulled off a series of incredible saves to keep the Reds from winning.
In addition to helping Man City win the Premier League title again and go to the Champions League semifinals, De Bruyne scored 15 goals and provided eight assists.
Mohamed Salah, who won the Premier League Golden Boot, the Playmaker Award, the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, and the FWA Footballer of the Year, is noticeably absent from the shortlist.
The Men’s Player of the Year award is determined not just by UEFA competitions but also by performances in other competitions.
