Barcelona and Spain star Alexia Putellas was named The Best FIFA women’s player for 2022 at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, taking the award for the second year running.
Putellas, who is also the reigning Ballon d’Or, beat England’s Beth Mead and Alex Morgan of the United States to claim the award voted for by national team coaches and captains, journalists and fans.
The 29-year-old beat England’s European Championship-winning striker Beth Mead and United States star Alex Morgan to add the FIFA crown to the Ballon d’Or, which she has also won two years running.
Putellas is currently recovering from a serious knee injury suffered last July which ruled her out of the Euro in England with Spain.
Prior to that, she had scored 11 goals on Barcelona’s run to the Champions League final, which they lost to Lyon.
Putellas also said she hoped to return from injury in time to play again this season, but it remains to be seen whether she will feature for Spain at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.
Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar was also recognised as Lionel Scaloni claimed the men’s coach’s honour and Emiliano Martinez was named the best male goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, England’s European Championship victory helped their Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman win the prize for best women’s coach, while Mary Earps was named the women’s goalkeeper of the year.
Polish amputee player Marcin Oleksy took the Puskas Award for best goal, named after Hungary great Ferenc Puskas.
AFP
