BEVERLY HILLS, December 17, (THEWILL) – Manchester City’s England defender Lucy Bronze is The Best Women’s Footballer after the resolute role she played in Olympique Lyonnais’ treble-winning campaign before her eventual move to Manchester City.
After clinching their 11th consecutive Division 1 Feminine title and fifth straight Champions League trophy while maintaining an unbeaten streak that stretched back to December 2016, Bronze sealed a summer transfer back to her roots.
In emerging top, Bronze edged out rivals Pernille Harder of Chelsea and her former team-mate, Frenchwoman Wendie Renard.
“What a surprise. To even be nominated alongside the two other players, they are both incredible players and outstanding human beings as well,” Bronze said after winning.
“I don’t think I have the words right now to explain how I am feeling. If there is anything 2020 has taught us it is to appreciate every moment you have, never look too far ahead and live in the here and now. I will appreciate winning this award now more than ever and I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.
“I want to thank all the clubs I have played for. I am never going to take the smallest things for granted, like just being at home, let alone winning a trophy of this stature.
“The magic had to be the Champions League. It was disappointing not to have the fans and the support there but it was incredible to feel that pressure and to win it in the end. It was a huge achievement for the club and something I will treasure for the rest of my life.”
Lyon had another award to celebrate as their French goalie Sarah Bouhaddi won The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper award. She was extremely vital in the historic season the French club had last season.
The Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman was named The Best FIFA Women’s Coach and used her opportunity at the platform to advocate for the cause of the women’s game.
“Of course, thank you for all this recognition, it is really an honour to receive this award,” she began.
“In the Netherlands we have put so much effort into developing the game. Now I work with the best players in the world, with an incredible staff. Working as a team is what makes the difference all the time.”
Canadian striker Christine Sinclair also got recognised for becoming the player with the most international goals in either the women’s and men’s game back in January with 185 goals.
THE BEST WOMEN’S PLAYER
Lucy Bronze (Olympique Lyonnais/Manchester City and England)
THE BEST WOMEN’S GOALKEEPER
Sarah Bouhaddi (Olympique Lyonnais and France)
THE BEST WOMEN’S COACH
Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands)
FIFA FIFPRO WOMEN’S WORLD11
Endler, Bronze, Renard, Bright, Heath, Boquete, Bonansea, Rapinoe, Cascarino, Miedema, Harder.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
