UEFA Men's Player of the Year
The UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious individual honors in association football. It recognizes the outstanding performance of a male footballer playing for a club within a UEFA member association during the previous season. Unlike awards that focus solely on club success, this honor evaluates a player's impact across both domestic and international competitions, including their contributions to their national team.
Established in 2011 through a partnership between UEFA and the European Sports Media (ESM) group, the award was designed to fill a void left when the Ballon d'Or merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2010. It also served as a successor to the earlier UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award.
Key Facts
- Most Wins: Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record with three awards.
- Current Holder: Erling Haaland (2022–23).
- Non-European Winner: Lionel Messi is the only non-European player to have won the award.
- Highest Points: Karim Benzema holds the record for the most points received in a single win.
- Evolution: The award was previously known as the UEFA Best Player in Europe (2011–2016).
Award Criteria and Voting Process
To be eligible, a player must play for a football club within the territory of a UEFA member association. The evaluation is comprehensive, judging performances in all competitions throughout the season.
The voting mechanism has evolved significantly since the award's inception to ensure a broader perspective of expertise:
- Initial Phase: Voting was conducted exclusively by 53 sports journalists from UEFA national associations. They ranked their top three players, with a scoring system of five points for first, three for second, and one for third.
- 2017 Expansion: UEFA added 80 coaches from the group stages of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League to the jury, while increasing the journalist count to 55.
- Further Inclusions: In the 2020/21 season, UEFA National Team Coaches were added, and by 2022/23, coaches from the UEFA Conference League group stages were also included in the voting process.
History of Winners
The award has been dominated by some of the greatest names in football history. Cristiano Ronaldo is the most successful recipient, being the only player to win the trophy three times and the only one to win it in consecutive years.
Lionel Messi has also been a recurring figure in the winner's circle, distinguishing himself as the only non-European player to receive the honor.
In recent years, the award has seen a shift toward new dominant forces, including the record-breaking points tally achieved by Karim Benzema and the most recent victory by Erling Haaland.
Below is a summary of the winners from the award's inception to the most recent cycle.
| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona |
| 2011–12 | Andrés Iniesta | Barcelona |
| 2012–13 | Franck Ribéry | Bayern Munich |
| 2013–14 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
| 2014–15 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona |
| 2015–16 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
| 2016–17 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid |
| 2017–18 | Luka Modrić | Real Madrid |
| 2018–19 | Virgil van Dijk | Liverpool |
| 2019–20 | Robert Lewandowski | Bayern Munich |
| 2020–21 | Jorginho | Chelsea |
| 2021–22 | Karim Benzema | Real Madrid |
| 2022–23 | Erling Haaland | Manchester City |
The Future of UEFA Individual Awards
Starting in 2024, UEFA has entered a partnership with Groupe Amaury to co-organize the Ballon d'Or awards. As a result of this collaboration, the specific UEFA awards for the best player and best coach will cease to exist. However, UEFA will continue to present the President's Award and individual prizes for the best players within their specific competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has won the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award the most?
Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award the most times, with a total of three wins.
How is the winner of the award determined?
The winner is chosen by a jury that has expanded over time to include sports journalists from UEFA member associations, as well as coaches from the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and UEFA national teams.
Is there a women's equivalent to this award?
Yes, the UEFA Women's Player of the Year Award was introduced in 2013 to recognize the best female footballer in Europe.
Will the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award continue after 2023?
No, due to a partnership with Groupe Amaury to co-organize the Ballon d'Or starting in 2024, the specific UEFA awards for best player and best coach will cease to exist.
What criteria are used to judge the players?
Players are judged based on their performances in all competitions—both domestic and international—at both the club and national team levels throughout the previous season.