First, we start with the UEFA Player of the Year Award. Benzema and Courtois have been named among the three main candidates for the 2021/22 Award . Kevin De Bruyne is also in the running for the trophy, which will be revealed on 25 August during the Champions League group stage draw in Istanbul. The award is voted for by a panel made up of the clubs that participated in the group stage of the Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League 2021/22 and a group of journalists chosen by European Sports Media (ESM).
What UEFA's website says of Benzema following the reveal of the main candidates: "The French striker was named 2021/22 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season after driving Real Madrid on to a record 14th European title, and his fifth since he joined from Lyon in 2009. His final tally of 15 goals earned him top spot in the competition scoring charts ".
On Courtois, it notes that "he won the Spanish Liga with Madrid and was the Player of the Match in the Champions League final after making several stunning saves" against Liverpool. Meanwhile, two other Real Madrid players were also voted for in this list of the top 15 players in the competition, alongside Benzema and Courtois. Modrić received the fifth most votes and Vini. Jr. the ninth.
On the other hand, it is UEFA Coach of the Year Award 2021/22. Carlo Ancelotti is of course amongst the three candidates in the running for this award. The Real Madrid coach is in contention with Klopp and Guardiola for the trophy, judged by a panel made up of the clubs that participated in the group stage of the Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League 2021/22 and a group of journalists chosen by European Sports Media (ESM).
UEFA points out that Ancelotti’s triumphs as follows: "Ancelotti won LaLiga before going on to become the first coach to win the European Cup for a fourth time, having steered Madrid to glory in the 2022 final in Paris". Just like the The Player of the Year Award, the winning coach for the Coach of the Year Award will be revealed during the 2022/23 Champions League group stage draw that will take place in Istanbul on Thursday 25 August.
Another award is potentially coming to Madrid: Camavinga has been nominated for the Kopa Trophy awarded by France Football. This award acknowledges the best under-21 player and the Frenchman is hoping to win it after a great debut season for Real Madrid. Camavinga played in 40 matches and played his part in winning the Champions League, LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup treble.
The winner of the Kopa Trophy will be revealed at the Ballon d'Or gala in Paris on 17 October. The other shortlisted players are Adeyemi, Bellingham, Gavi, Gravenberch, Nuno Mendes, Musiala, Gvardiol, Wirtz and Saka, with each of them being a very promising youngster!
And last, the most loved award: Ballon D’Or! Among the 30 candidates for the 2022 Ballon d'Or, which will also be awarded by France Football on 17 October at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, are Benzema, Modrić, Courtois, Vini Jr, Casemiro and Rüdiger. The nominees were selected by 180 international journalists, based on the players' performances in the 2021/22 season which include the achievements as follows.
The first five won three titles with Real Madrid last season: Champions League, LaLiga and Spanish Super Cup. Benzema registered 44 goals and came out top scorer in the three competitions won (15, 27 and 2 goals respectively). 2018 Ballon d'Or winner Modrić and Casemiro excelled in our team's midfield.
Vini Jr. and Courtois also enjoyed impressive seasons. Both players' performances in the Champions League final were key to Real Madrid winning their fourteenth European Cup. The Brazilian netted the winning goal (22 for the entire season) and the goalkeeper was named MVP in the match. Rüdiger, who is playing his first season for Real Madrid, won the Club World Cup and the European Super Cup with Chelsea.
Waiting for a triumph for the Yashin award: Thibaut Courtois has also been nominated as one of the candidates to win the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper of 2022, awarded by France Football magazine. The goalkeeper is among the 10 nominees shortlisted for the award. The winner of the award will be revealed at the Ballon d'Or gala on 17 October at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
The Belgian goalkeeper had an exceptional season, named MVP in the Champions League final, which also saw him named among the 30 Ballon d'Or nominees. His performances since he joined Real Madrid have been constantly getting more crucial for the team and he has managed to wipe every claim of the critics. The other goalkeepers in the running for the Yashin Trophy are: Bounou, Alisson, Ederson, Maignan, Mendy, Neuer, Oblak, Trapp and Lloris.
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