Fresh off the back of the Women’s World Cup, Matildas star Sam Kerr has become the first Australian to place runner up in UEFA’s player of the year award.
Kerr came in behind Spain’s Aitana Bonmati at the prestigious European awards on Thursday, making history as the first Aussie to finish in the top two since the men’s award began in the 2010/2011 season, and women’s inclusion in 2013.
The achievement recognises the Chelsea striker’s extraordinary campaign with the Blues after her goals helped the team win the women’s FA Cup and Super League ‘double’ in England
Spain’s Olga Carmona placed third for the women’s award, while Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was named as the 2022/203 men’s player of the year.
City’s manager Pep Guardiola also won coach of the year.
The news comes after Kerr, who scored 29 goals in all competitions for Chelsea this season, finished runner-up behind Aston Villa star Rachel Daly in the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year awards earlier this week.
Organised by the Professional Footballers’ Association, the awards are voted for by fellow players and salute the best male and female players in English football in 2023.
Haaland again scooped the top spot in the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, after his stellar first season with the treble winners.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a stunning debut season for City, hitting 52 goals in all competitions as Pep Guardiola’s men won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Haaland saw off competition from teammates John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne, as well as from Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard and former Tottenham striker Harry Kane, now at Bayern Munich.
Saka was voted the men’s Young Player of the Year while Chelsea’s Lauren James picked up the women’s award.
Daly and James were key performers for England in their run to the Women’s World Cup final, which ended in defeat against Spain earlier this month.
Villa’s Daly scored 22 goals in the Women’s Super League last season, a remarkable achievement for a player who featured at left-back in the Lionesses’ successful Euros campaign in 2022.
The 31-year-old beat off competition from Kerr, Frida Maanum, Guro Reiten, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Ona Batlle.
Originally published as Sam Kerr makes history at UEFA player of the year award
