Kylian Mbappe during the Kafd Global Soccer Awards Europe Edition – Cala di Volpe ,Costa Smeralda , … [+]
Football royalty gathered under the Costa Smeralda sky for the inaugural KAFD Globe Soccer Europe Awards.
While Kylian Mbappé, Xabi Alonso and Manchester City were among those honoured at the lavish Hotel Cala di Volpe in Sardinia, Italy received six of fourteen awards on offer.
Atalanta earned the Revelation Award for defying expectations, dismantling Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League Final. La Dea ended their 61-year trophy drought when Ademola Lookman scored three goals in Dublin, becoming the first player to score a hat trick in a European club final since 1975.
DUBLIN, IRELAND – MAY 22: Berat Djimsiti of Atalanta BC lifts the UEFA Europa League Trophy with … [+]
After losing three Italian Cup Finals in six years, coach Gian Piero Gasperini and his side finally bask in glory. Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi collected the award on behalf of the club.
“Tonight is another fantastic night for Atalanta”, Percassi told the attendees. “A fantastic and big thank you to our coach Mister Gasperini that’s been doing a fantastic job this season. Getting this Cup and this Award was something that we never dreamed about.”
Manchester City and FC Barcelona were honoured as Best Men’s Club and Best Women’s Club respectively: Pep Guardiola’s side overcame Arsenal to clinch a fourth-consecutive Premier League title. Jonatan Giráldez’ Barça Femení swept up all before them including the Liga F and UEFA Champions League.
Kylian Mbappé is proof that one doesn’t necessarily need to lift World Cups or Champions League trophies to be crowned the Best Men’s Player of the Year. The $200 million-rated forward edged out ten other nominees in 2024 including Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Lautaro Martinez.
“It’s always a pleasure to be part of these games, part of these events”, Mbappé said. “And it’s part of the journey. I want to work hard to keep my name in the history of football.
Mbappé’s imminent move from PSG to Real Madrid is the worst-kept secret in soccer. But with the UEFA Champions League Final between Borussia Dortmund and Madrid coming up, the 25-year-old avoided controversy when asked if he would be supporting Los Blancos.
“No, I’ll just watch the final like you,” he replied. “When you love football, you watch every game.
Gianluigi Buffon received the Player Career Award for redefining goalkeeping. The Parma legend is the most-capped Italian player ever, appearing 176 times across 22 years. In total, Buffon won 30 trophies and 70 individual accolades.
Gianluigi Buffon (ITA) celebrates with the trophy after the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between … [+]
“I’m really glad for your affection and your consideration of me”, Buffon said in English. “But from now on I work hard to build my second life with the same occupation. So, in a few years, I hope to return to collect another Global Soccer Award as a manager.”
Buffon accepted an Italian national team role to work at Euro 2024 under Luciano Spalletti who was given the Coach Career Award.
Gianluca Pessotto, who played alongside Buffon at Juventus between 2001 and 2006, secured the Sportsmanship Award. The former Azzurri midfielder won four Serie A titles and one UEFA Champions League.
The Comeback Award went to Como 1907 for capturing the imagination of Italy – and much of the world – after clinching promotion to Serie A for the first time in 21 years under co-managers Osian Roberts and Cesc Fàbregas.
“We are a very small club that has grown very very fast,” Fàbregas said at the ceremony. “From Serie D four years ago, non-professional football to now to Serie A, I think it represents this name very well – ‘a great comeback’ – and I’m very happy for the fans, for the people of Como.”
COMO, ITALY – MAY 10: Assistant Coach Cesc Fabregas of Como 1907 celebrates with fans after the team … [+]
Fittingly, iconic Cagliari and Italy striker Gigi Riva was acknowledged here in Sardinia for one of two Special Career Awards along with German forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Earlier this year, Riva passed away at the age of 79 and was laid to rest in Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital, where over 30,000 people gathered to pay their respects. His son, Nicola, was there to accept the award.
“Let me say thank you to him, not only for the player he was and for the goals he scored, but especially for the person he was for all his life, outside and inside the pitch.”
Riva top-scored in Serie A on three occasions, winning the Scudetto with Cagliari in 1970. He starred in Italy’s first Euros triumph in 1968 and was a World Cup runner-up two years later. With 35 goals in 42 appearances, Riva is still Italy’s record top goalscorer.
Xabi Alonso was in attendance to receive the Best Coach Award for leading Bayer Leverkusen to a historic debut Bundesliga title. After losing the UEFA Europa League Final to Atalanta, the Spaniard recovered brilliantly to steer Bayer to the double, defeating Kaiserslautern in the German Cup Final.
Xavi Alonso during the Kafd Global Soccer Awards Europe Edition – Cala di Volpe ,Costa Smeralda , … [+]
Two of Alonso’s compatriots, Mikel Arteta and Lamine Yamal, were rewarded in the Best Coach Premier League and Emerging Player categories. Overall, Spain took home four awards.
Finally, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of the European Clubs Association and President of PSG, collected the Football Leadership Award.
Best Men’s Club: Manchester City
Best Women’s Club: FC Barcelona
Best Coach Premier League: Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Revelation Award: Atalanta
Football Leadership Award: Nasser Al-Khelaifi (PSG and European Clubs Association)
Comeback Award: Como 1907
Coach Career Award: Luciano Spalletti
Player Career Award: Gianluigi Buffon
Sportmanship Award: Gianluca Pessotto
Special Career Award: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Special Career Award: Gigi Riva
The Italian footballer Luigi ‘Gigi’ Riva at Cagliari ca. 1970. (Photo by: HUM Images/Universal … [+]
Emerging Player: Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona and Spain)
Best Coach: Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen)
Best Men’s Player Nominees: Kylian Mbappé, Phil Foden, Serhou Guirassy, Rodrigo, Mo Salah, Erling Haaland, Lautaro Martinez, Vinicius Junior, Bernardo Silva, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham.
Best Player: Kylian Mbappe (PSG and France)
With the shortlists for five of the awards decided by a fan vote earlier this month, a star-studded jury of football industry luminaries selected the final winners.
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