Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema named Uefa Player of the Year

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was named Uefa Player of the Year and Carlo Ancelotti took the coaching honours after they led the club to a record-extending 14th Champions League title last season.

Benzema was in superb form, scoring 15 times in the competition and lifting the trophy for a fifth time in his career after the Spanish side beat Liverpool in the final.

The 34-year-old scored hat-tricks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the knockout rounds and netted three times across the two legs of the semi-final against Manchester City.

Benzema took the men's honours ahead of club teammate Thibaut Courtois and Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, succeeding Chelsea midfielder Jorginho who won the award last year.

Real also secured a 35th La Liga title, finishing 13 points clear of old rivals Barcelona, with Benzema finishing as top scorer with 27 goals – and with an astonishing 44 goals in 46 games across all competitions.

The France attacker is also overwhelming favourite to lift the Ballon d'Or award for his exploits last season.

Ancelotti became the first coach to win Europe's most prestigious club trophy four times. He first won the title with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 before claiming it with Real in 2014.

When asked how he had become the most successful coach in the competition, Ancelotti said: “The passion I have for the sport and the quality of the players.

“Last season there was a fantastic connection between the veterans and young ones, there was fantastic chemistry with the supporters that helped us reach an unbelievable achievement.”

Real Madrid celebrate after beating Liverpool to win the Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, May 29, 2022. Reuters

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