Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne are in the running for the 2021-22 UEFA Player of the Year award after topping a 15-man shortlist, European governing body said on Friday. football.
The winner will be announced at the 2022-2023 Champions League group stage draw in Istanbul on August 25, along with the Men’s Coach of the Year and the Women’s Player and Coach of the Year.
Benzema and Courtois helped Real to a record 14th European title last season, while De Bruyne guided City to the Premier League title, his fourth crown in seven seasons at the club.
Other nominees for the award include Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane.
Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti, City’s Pep Guardiola and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp were among the nominees for manager of the year. UEFA will announce the nominees for the women’s awards next week.
