The selection was made after the draw for this season’s Champions League pools in Monaco on Thursday. Players and coaches in teams that played in European club tournaments last season have voted Haaland as player of the season. The Norwegian won the award in a battle against Lionel Messi and Manchester City teammate Kevin De Bruyne. It was the three who received the most votes when players were to be nominated. In the end, Haaland’s name came out of the hat the most times. GLISTEN: Erling Braut Haaland has won what can be won in prizes this year. He still grinned widely when he received the Uefa award in Monaco. Photo: MASSIMO PINCA / Reuters When Haaland was finally called up, you could read his name on the screen behind the stage. But instead of “Erling Haaland”, Uefa had written “Erling Haarland”. Appropriately enough, Uefa had found a picture of the Norwegian star with his hair blown out. Carl-Erik Torp, news’s football expert, laughs when he is made aware of the name mistake. – You would think that it was easier to write the name of one of the world’s best players than your own. It should be quite a bit easier to Google and double-check in any case, says Torp. – Living the dream – I feel good, what more can I say? I won the triple as a 22-year-old. I’m living the dream. To be able to do this with my teammates is something special. I am happy, and this gives me free motivation to work on and win more, Haaland told Uefa’s reporter in Monaco. In the hall sat a moved Isabel Haugseng Johansen, Haaland’s alleged girlfriend, and dad Alfie. Haaland was recently named player of the year by the English players’ association PFA. He was also named player of the year in the Premier League in his debut season. The Norwegian was asked how City can repeat last season’s success and win at least as many titles. – I will do my best. It’s about motivation and keeping your head clear. There will probably be even more eyes on us now, so we must be even better prepared and sharper. I am hugely motivated for another big season, said the City striker. STAR DUO: Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí also won an award. Here she is pictured with Erling Braut Haaland and Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin. Photo: Daniel Cole / AP – Pep a bit scary The female player of the year in a Uefa context was Aitana Bonmatí from Barcelona. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) and Sarina Wiegman (England’s soccer women) were named coaches of the year. Guardiola was not present at Thursday’s award ceremony, but Haaland’s father Alfie was in the audience. The star striker was asked which of the two he thinks is the scariest. – Sometimes Pep is a bit scary, but my father can be too. It’s something I like anyway, that Pep shouts at me. He’s trying to get something into my head that he thinks I don’t know. I’m not complaining, grinned Haaland. Reigning champion Manchester City will face RB Leipzig, Røde Stjerne and Young Boys in the Champions League group stage this autumn.
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Name mistake when Haaland won the prestigious award – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
