Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski won the UEFA men's Player of the Year award on Thursday, ahead of Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne and Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Pernille Harder won the Women’s Player of the Year award for the second time. Bayern's manager Hansi Flick became the coach of the season.
"I have to say, it's amazing. It's an amazing feeling because you know if you work so hard and in the end you get this trophy, it's something special. I have to say thank you to my teammates, to my coaches, it all started because every day they work very hard to prepare me for the game and also to (thank) my family because they support me a lot and you know, that is for me very important as well" - Lewandowski said after accepting the award.
"When I was a young player I was always dreaming of playing on the big stage, to be at the biggest club in the world, and now when I'm on the stage I have to say that dreams come true and it's difficult to say something more, but I'm very grateful and very proud and very happy" - Polish striker added.
The Polish forward scored 15 goals on the way to Bayern Munich's sixth Champions League title, hitting the target in every match before the final except a group game against Tottenham Hotspur when he was rested.
He also fired 34 goals in 31 Bundesliga matches and six in five German Cup games, helping Bayern win both competitions. The German champions' manager Hansi Flick won UEFA's coach of the year of the award.
Pernille Harder, who played for Wolfsburg last season and is now with Chelsea, won the Women’s Player of the Year award for the second time.
"I'm super honoured to achieve this award. It's one of the biggest awards you can achieve individually in football and so I'm super happy and very very proud. It shows me that all the hard work I put into this and all the sacrifices... and it just gives something and it turns out I get to be the Player of the Year in Europe" - Harder said.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Eurosport