Lucy Bronze and Robert Lewandowski named Fifa's best players of the year
Lucy Bronze said she would “remember this moment for the rest of her life” after she became the first England player and first female defender to win one of Fifa’s main awards, having been named the best women’s player of the year.
“I don’t think I have the words right now to explain how I’m feeling but if there’s anything that 2020 has taught us, it’s to appreciate every moment you have and not think too far ahead,” Bronze said.
“[Being the first is] something that I’m always very proud of. There’s no better way to be a role model than to show people there is a path. So to be the first and be successful at certain things shows so many people in England, so many little girls, so many defenders, that it is possible.”
Bronze won the treble and her third successive Champions League trophy with Lyon before rejoining Manchester City, saying she brought with her the French champions’ “crazy winning mentality, wanting to be the best”. The 2019 European player of the year won her second FA Cup on her return to England, as City beat Everton in the pandemic-rescheduled final.
The 29-year-old, whom the England manager Phil Neville described as “the world’s best” on the eve of the 2019 World Cup, said she is “quite an obsessive person with winning”. She added with a laugh: “Even when it comes to tying shoelaces the fastest, I’ve been very lucky to have an older brother who I’ve been competitive with. Actually, I need to say happy birthday to my brother, I’ve outshone him again, on his birthday.”
Neville had also said Bronze is good enough to play against men. “Put me on the field and we’ll find out,” she laughed when reminded of his comments. “I think that’s because one of my great assets is my physicality, I was genetically blessed, I guess. I would quite happily go toe to toe with anyone in that respect. So I’d welcome the competition. Phil was probably joking but there’s a little bit of truth to it too, sometimes he joins us in training and gets a little bit embarrassed.”
Bronze dedicated her award to Gérard Houllier, who was appointed technical director of Lyon women in November. The former Liverpool manager died on Monday. “He used to make a beeline for me after big games and put and arm round my shoulder,” said Bronze. “I think it was the scouser in him that attracted him to the northern English player in me.
“For someone like him to even spend a small amount of time with me, give me advice and to come and watch my England games at the World Cup as well was phenomenal – a huge loss and I’m just thankful for everything he did for me.”
Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski beat Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to collect the men’s award. The Poland striker scored 55 goals in 47 matches last season, including 15 on the way to the Champions League final where the German champions beat Paris Saint-Germain.
Jürgen Klopp was named the men’s coach of the year for the second time in a row after leading Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years. “I had no idea how it would feel and it felt absolutely overwhelming,” he said of the Premier League triumph which followed last year’s Champions League win.
The incoming England manager, Sarina Wiegman, collected the women’s coach of the year award following an unbeaten Euro 2022 qualifying campaign with the Netherlands. She will take over from Neville after the Olympics next summer.
Son Heung-min’s stunning solo goal for Tottenham against Burnley last December won the Puskas goal of the year award.