List of UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award Winners – The UEFA Best Player Award, formerly known as the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, is an honor in association football. This award is given to a footballer who, in the eyes of UEFA, has performed well in the previous season in club and national team competitions in Europe.
The recipient of this award is recognized as an outstanding player, who demonstrates his excellence not only in his club’s efforts but also on the international stage representing his national team. It serves as a testament to an individual’s talent, dedication and influence on the game at the highest level.
The UEFA Best Player Award is highly anticipated and closely followed by football fans and experts around the world, as it recognizes the contribution of footballers who have had a significant impact on European football. It is a celebration of excellence, skill and achievement in the beautiful game.
List of UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award Winners
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| 2010/11 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Xavi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) |
| 2011/12 | Andres Iniesta (Barcelona) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) & Cristiano Ronaldo | — |
| 2012/13 | Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) |
| 2013/14 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) | Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich) |
| 2014/15 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Luis Suarez (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) |
| 2015/16 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) | Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) |
| 2016/17 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) |
| 2017/18 | Luka Modric (Real Madrid) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) | Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) |
| 2018/19 | Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) | Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) |
| 2019/20 | Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) | Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) | Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) |
| 2020/21 | Jorginho (Chelsea) | Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) | N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) |
| 2021/22 | Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) | Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) | Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) |
| 2022/23 | Erling Haaland (Manchester City) | Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) | Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) |
Cristiano Ronaldo is a legend in the world of football as he is the only player to win the UEFA Best Player Award three times, and he achieved the incredible feat of winning it twice in a row. His consistent quality on the field has cemented his position as one of the best footballers in history.
On the women’s side, UEFA introduced the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Award in 2013. This recognition is specifically awarded to top female footballers who have excelled in club and national team competitions. Celebrate the unique talent and contributions of female athletes to the sport.
These awards, for both men and women, serve as a testament to the great skill, dedication and passion that soccer players bring to the game. They are a source of pride and inspiration for players and fans alike, and highlight the best of European football.
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