Lucy Bronze became the first British player to win one of the top two awards at Fifa’s annual ceremony, as the Manchester City and England defender was named the best women’s player in the world.
The 29-year-old, who won the treble with Lyon last season before joining City, pipped Denmark striker Pernille Harder and France defender Wendie Renard, and looked shocked by her win at the Best Fifa Awards virtual ceremony held in Zurich.
“Wow, what a surprise,” Bronze said via video link. “What a surprise to be even nominated alongside two players of that stature! To have won it … I don’t really have the words right now to explain how I’m feeling. Winning it this year, I appreciate it more than ever and I will remember it from the rest of my life.”
The Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski won the men’s award, beating Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after a year where he led Bayern to a league, cup and Champions League treble.
Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp became the first manager to win the men’s coach award twice, beating Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa and Bayern Munich’s treble-winning head coach, Hansi Flick.
Klopp retained the award after ending Liverpool’s long wait for a Premier League title. “I had no idea how it would feel and it felt absolutely overwhelming,” the German said on winning the title.
Sarina Wiegman, the Netherlands coach who will replace Phil Neville as England manager next year, won the best women’s coach award.
Tottenham forward Son Heung-min won the Puskas Award for the best goal of the year. The South Korean took the coveted prize for his superb solo goal against Burnley in the Premier League last December.