Manchester City and England defender Lucy Bronze named the best women’s player in the world
England full back Lucy Bronze became the first British player to win one of the top two awards by being named the best’s women’s player in the world at the FIFA Best Football Awards.
The 29-year-old won the Treble in France with Lyon before signing for Manchester City in the summer.
Bronze, who pipped Denmark’s Pernille Harder and France’s Wendie Renard, looked shocked by the announcement, and said: ‘Wow, what a surprise. To be even nominated alongside the two other players, who I know very well – both incredible players and amazing human beings.
Lucy Bronze was named the best’s women’s player in the world at FIFA Best Football Awards
Full back won the Treble in France with Lyon before joining Manchester City in the summer
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura stands in front of screen showing Bronze
‘To have won it, I don’t think I have the words right now to explain how I’m feeling. If there’s anything that 2020 has taught us it’s to appreciate every moment.
‘Winning this award now, I’ll appreciate it more than ever and I’ll remember this moment for the rest of my life.’
She added: ‘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 rest of my life.’
While Holland women’s coach Sarina Wiegman, who will replace Phil Neville as England Women’s head coach in September, collected The Best FIFA Women’s Coach award.
The current Holland coach took the gong for the second time at FIFA’s award ceremony on Thursday.
England’s Bronze pipped Denmark’s Pernille Harder and France’s Wendie Renard (not pictured)
Wiegman officially takes the Lionesses’ reins from Phil Neville in September 2021.
On receiving her award, Wiegman told FIFA global head of football development Arsene Wenger: ‘We have had a great development with the Dutch national team where a lot of people worked really hard to get to where we are now.
‘Staying modest, staying prepared and connected with the team.’
Wiegman won the award for her stellar leadership of the Dutch women’s team since the Women’s World Cup in France last year, in which the Oranje Lionesses reached the final.
Holland’s Sarina Wiegman named best women’s coach at FIFA Best Football Awards
Her Holland side have gone unbeaten since with 10 wins in as matches, including qualification for the pandemic-delayed Women’s European Championships in 2022.
Having committed to leading Holland at the Tokyo Olympics, in August Wiegman agreed a four-year contract from 2021 that will see her manage England’s campaigns for the home European Championship in 2022, the 2023 World Cup in Australia and the Euros in 2025.
Wiegman has quite the task on her hands to turn around the fortunes of England, who have stagnated under Neville after reaching the World Cup semi-final. Since the tournament the Lionesses have lost five of nine matches.
Wiegman has already said she will initially split her time between England and the Netherlands, and is confident the Lionesses can win the 2023 World Cup.
