European Footballer of the Year
Award: De Bruyne, Courtois and Benzema have hope
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is one of three nominees for the European Footballer of the Year award. photo
© Nick Potts/PA Wire/dpa
Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois from Champions League winners Real Madrid and former Bundesliga professional Kevin De Bruyne can hope for the European Footballer of the Year award.
Karim Benzema and Thibaut Courtois from Champions League winners Real Madrid and former Bundesliga professional Kevin De Bruyne can hope for the European Footballer of the Year award.
German players or Bundesliga professionals, on the other hand, are not among the three nominees for the award on August 25 in Istanbul, which the European Football Union announced on Friday.
Former Wolfsburg offensive player De Bruyne had become English champion with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and had failed in the semi-finals of the Champions League at eventual winners Real Madrid. Among the Spanish champions, De Bruyne’s Belgian national team-mate and goalkeeper Courtois and French striker Benzema stood out last season.
Former Bayern star Robert Lewandowski, who moved to FC Barcelona, missed the chance to win the honor in the Champions League group stage draw when he finished fourth.
The candidates for Europe’s Coach of the Year are Jürgen Klopp from Champions League finalists Liverpool, Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City).
Midfielder Jorginho was honored by Chelsea FC last year, and Thomas Tuchel was honored as a coach after the Blues’ Champions League victory. The women’s nominees will be announced next week.