Karim Benzema and Alexia Putellas were named UEFA men’s and women’s player of the year, respectively, during an event in Istanbul on Thursday. Benzema guided Real Madrid to a Champions League final triumph against Liverpool, scoring 15 goals in the campaign, while Putellas was the top scorer in the Women’s Champions League, helping Barcelona reach the final, which they lost to Lyon.
Benzema won the title ahead of club teammate Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City player Kevin De Bruyne, following Chelsea midfielder Jorginho, who won it last year.
In the Champions League knockout rounds, the 34-year-old scored hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea, and he scored three times in the two legs of the semi-final against Manchester City. He scored 44 goals in 46 games as Real won the Spanish championship.
Putellas, 28, won the award for the second year in a row despite missing Euro 2022 due to a significant knee injury. She finished ahead of England forward and European champion Beth Mead, the tournament’s joint best scorer, and young German midfielder Lena Oberdorf.
Carlo Ancelotti was chosen best men’s coach for his achievements with Real Madrid, while Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman was selected best women’s coach after leading England to Euro triumph last month on home soil.