UEFA Awards 2023 Date, Predictions, and More
by Rubaditsha
Updated Aug 31, 2023
UEFA Awards
Every year, UEFA honors the most exceptional talents of the European club football season by presenting a range of awards that celebrate their outstanding performances in the UEFA Champions League. This recognition takes place in August at a dedicated gala held in the exquisite locale of Monaco.
Formerly, this ceremony coincided with the UEFA Super Cup; however, the shift of the Super Cup to early August in 2014 led to the merging of the UEFA awards event with the UEFA Champions League group stage draw. Notably, Internazionale and Real Madrid are the only two teams to have secured a clean sweep of all available awards within a single season. This remarkable feat was achieved by Internazionale during the 2009-10 season and by Real Madrid during the 2017-18 season.
The 2010-11 season brought about a change, as the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award gave way to the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. However, the positional awards, which acknowledge players based on their specific roles on the field, made their comeback in the 2016-17 season. This addition allowed for a more nuanced recognition of players' contributions within their respective positions, adding depth to the accolades.
The evolution of these awards continued to encompass the women's football arena. In the 2019-20 season, UEFA introduced positional awards for players participating in the UEFA Women's Champions League. This expansion acknowledged the remarkable achievements of female athletes in parallel with their male counterparts.
Ultimately, the UEFA awards stand as a momentous occasion on the football calendar, celebrating excellence and honoring the dedication, skill, and impact of players who elevate the beautiful game to new heights on the grand stage of the UEFA Champions League.
UEFA Awards 2023 Date
The UEFA Men's and Women's Players of the Year for 2023 will be unveiled on Thursday, August 31, during the 2023/24 Champions League group-stage draw event. The anticipation surrounds Lionel Messi's candidacy for the men's award, following his pivotal role in Argentina's World Cup triumph and his success in securing another Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami.
A potential victory for Messi would see him equal his long-standing rival Cristiano Ronaldo's record of three wins. However, his competition includes Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, who were instrumental in Manchester City's triumphant 2022/23 season, securing a treble.
In the women's category, Alexia Putellas' two-year reign as the reigning champion is set to conclude. The spotlight now shifts to successors, notably Aitana Bonmati, a standout performer for Barcelona, and Olga Carmona, renowned for her match-winning goal in the World Cup final. Also vying for the coveted award is Sam Kerr, an accomplished player hailing from Australia and associated with Chelsea.
The initial list of nominees was curated by the UEFA technical study group. Additionally, a comprehensive compilation of past winners is available. As the prestigious awards ceremony approaches, football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the crowning of the standout male and female players for the year 2023, as their exceptional contributions and achievements are recognized on this remarkable platform.
UEFA Awards 2023 Predictions
The anticipation surrounding the UEFA Awards 2023 is palpable as the announcement of the Men's and Women's Players of the Year approaches on August 31. The distinguished ceremony, integrated into the 2023/24 Champions League group-stage draw event, promises to honor outstanding football achievements.
In the men's category, Lionel Messi stands out as a frontrunner, buoyed by his instrumental role in Argentina's World Cup triumph and a successful Ligue 1 campaign with Paris Saint-Germain before transitioning to Inter Miami. A third win for Messi would equal Cristiano Ronaldo's record. His challengers include Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, key figures in Manchester City's treble-winning season.
In the women's arena, Alexia Putellas' two-year reign as the champion is poised to conclude, making way for new achievers. Spanish World Cup victors Aitana Bonmati and Olga Carmona are in contention, having shone for Barcelona and made a mark in the World Cup final respectively. Notably, Sam Kerr, an accomplished presence for both Australia and Chelsea, also vies for the prestigious honor.
The nominees were meticulously chosen by the UEFA technical study group, with past winners forming a significant part of the narrative. As the event draws near, the global football community awaits the crowning of these exceptional athletes who have left an indelible mark on the sport in 2023. The awards stand as a celebration of their prowess, dedication, and impact, further solidifying their legacies in football's illustrious history.
Where Can I Watch the Champions League?
This is your opportunity to witness the unveiling of the Men's and Women's Players of the Year for 2023, as well as the captivating Champions League draw. The esteemed event promises to be a celebration of football excellence, bringing together top athletes, football enthusiasts, and viewers from around the world. Don't forget to tune in on the specified date and time to catch all the live action and the much-anticipated announcements.
UEFA Awards 2023: List of Nominees For Men's and Women's Player of the Year
UEFA Men's Player of the Year:
Position
Player
Club
Country
1st
Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City
Belgium
2nd
Lionel Messi
Paris Saint-Germain
Argentina
3rd
Erling Haaland
Manchester City
Norway
4th
Ilkay Gundogan
Manchester City
Germany
5th
Rodri
Manchester City
Spain
6th
Kylian Mbappe
PSG
France
7th
Luka Modric
Real Madrid
Croatia
8th
Marcelo Brozovic
Inter Milan
Croatia
9th
Declan Rice
West Ham
England
10th
Alexis Mac Allister
Brighton
Argentina
11th
Jesus Navas
Sevilla
Spain
UEFA Women's Player of the Year:
Position
Player
Club
Country
1st
Aitana Bonmati
Barcelona
Spain
2nd
Olga Carmona
Real Madrid
Spain
3rd
Sam Kerr
Chelsea
Australia
4th
Mary Earps
Manchester United
England
5th
Salma Paralluelo
Barcelona
Spain
6th
Alexandra Popp
Wolfsburg
Germany
7th
Keira Walsh
Barcelona
England
8th
Caroline Graham Hansen
Barcelona
Norway
9th
Rachel Daly
Aston Villa
England
10th
Ewa Pajor
Wolfsburg
Poland
11th
Kadidiatou Diani
PSG
France
UEFA Awards 2023 Date: FAQs
The UEFA awards recognize exceptional players in the UEFA Champions League each season, honoring their outstanding performances in European club football.
The awards are presented in August at a special gala event held in Monaco. The ceremony was previously tied to the UEFA Super Cup but is now combined with the UEFA Champions League group stage draw.
The UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award was replaced by the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award during this season. However, positional awards for players' roles returned in the 2016-17 season.
In the 2019-20 season, UEFA introduced positional awards for players in the UEFA Women's Champions League, recognizing their contributions and achievements in a similar manner to their male counterparts.
The UEFA awards celebrate excellence, recognizing players' dedication, skill, and impact in the UEFA Champions League. They highlight outstanding performances that elevate the sport to new heights on a global stage.