UEFA Men's Player of the Year | |
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![]() 2023 winner Erling Haaland | |
Sponsored by | ESM[1] |
Presented by | UEFA |
Formerly called | UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1998–2010) UEFA Best Player in Europe (2011–16) |
First awarded | 2011 |
Current holder | ![]() (1st award) |
Most awards | ![]() (3 awards) |
Website | UEFA.com |
The UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award (previously known as the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award) is an association football award given to the footballer playing for a men's football club in Europe that is considered the best in the previous season of both club and national team competition. The award, created in 2011 by UEFA in partnership with European Sports Media (ESM) group, was initially aimed at reviving the European Footballer of the Year Award (Ballon d'Or),[2][3] which was merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year Award in 2010 to become the FIFA Ballon d'Or.[4] It also replaced the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award.[5]
Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award the most time with 3 awards and is the only player to win it twice in a row.[6][7] Female players are awarded the UEFA Women's Player of the Year Award, introduced in 2013.[8]
UEFA partnered with Groupe Amaury to co-organise the Ballon d'Or awards from 2024. The partnership means UEFA's awards for the best player and best coach will cease to exist. But UEFA will continue to present the President's Award as well as prizes for the best player in each of their competitions.[9]