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Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho has been named European soccer body UEFA’s men’s player of the year for 2020-21 while Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas has been honoured as the outstanding women’s player.
Brazilian-born Jorginho, 29, won the Champions League and European championship with both club and country this year.
Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel was voted men’s coach of the year for guiding his side to the European title while Lluis Cortes took the trophy as women’s coach after his Barcelona side also won the women’s Champions League title.
The awards were announced at the Champions League draw in Istanbul.
Jorginho was already cast as the favourite on an all-midfield shortlist of three, with Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Chelsea teammate N’Golo Kante the other contenders.
UEFA said Jorginho had won 175 points in the voting by coaches and journalists, to De Bruyne’s 167 and Kante’s 160. Argentine Lionel Messi, a six-times Ballon d’Or winner, was fourth with 148.
Spain midfielder and Barcelona captain Putellas, who beat club teammates Jenni Hermoso and Lieke Martens to the trophy, was an inspirational performer in Barcelona women’s 2020-21 success which saw them win the Spanish league and cup as well as the Champions League.
© AAP
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