Football icons, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t make the final list of nominees for 2020/2021 UEFA men’s player of the year award for the second year in a row.
This was revealed in the nominees list released on UEFA’s official website.
Either of the two football icons had always been present on the list since 2010. This time they were not nominated despite both players ending last season as the top goal scorer in their respective leagues.
The players mentioned on the list are: Chelsea FC’s duo of Ngolo Kante and Jorginho. Kevin DeBruyne of Manchester City make the final three vying for the award.
Kante was a vital cog in the heart of the Chelsea side that won the UEFA Champions League last season.
He was the workaholic varve that pumped Chelsea to the triumph against Manchester City. He powered them past Real Madrid in the semi-final. He outplayed Madrid’s midfield trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Casemiro over two legs.
In the final, he also produced a man-of-the-match performance.
Jorginho, on the other hand, was also significant in the Blues conquest of Europe and added another feather to his plummed hat as he inspired Italy to the Euro a few months later.
His contribution has led a handful of fans to believe he should be handed the gong.
DeBruyne is making his second consecutive appearance on the list due to his extraordinary exploits with Man City last season.
The UEFA men’s coach of the year nominees are Thomas Tuchel of Chelsea, Man City’s Pep Guardiola, and Italy’s Roberto Mancini.
Check out the full list below:
Men’s Player of the Year
Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)
Jorginho (Chelsea)
N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea)
Women’s Player of the Year
Jennifer Hermoso (Barcelona)
Lieke Martens (Barcelona)
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Lluis Cortés (Barcelona)
Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden)
Emma Hayes (Chelsea)
The winners of the awards will be announced on August 26, 2021, in Istanbul, Turkey. In the same vein, the draws for the UEFA 2021-22 Champions League will be announced on the same day.
