Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Monaco is set to host the UEFA Champions League group stage draw Thursday 31 August where the winner of the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year will also be announced.
Three nominees have made it to the shortlist of the award: Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City, Erling Haaland from Manchester City, and Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) currently in Inter Miami.
According to the official website of the UEFA, “the initial shortlist of players was selected by the UEFA technical study group based on their performance during the 2022-23 season at both club and national team level.”
“Coaches and journalists were asked to select their top three players from the shortlist by allocating them five points, three points, and one point respectively,” UEFA added. “The final result was based on the total number of votes cast by the coaches and journalists.”
Erling Haaland earned his spot for this award thanks to his 12 goals in the Champions League and record-breaking 36 goals in the Premier League. Haaland was also the UEFA Champions League winner with his team Manchester City.
As for his teammate Kevin De Bruyne, his seven assists and his four Player of the Match awards earned him a spot with the finalists. De Bruyne also contributed to his team Manchester City winning the landmark treble.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi on the other hand, secured his spot on the list not only thanks to his Ligue 1 title with PSG, but it was his performance in the FIFA 2022 World Cup that caught the eye. The world champion will be attempting to win this award for the third time to equal his eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
