In the 2021/22 season, attention focused on a triumvirate of stars who dominated Europe’s European top competition scene. Karim Benzema, Thibaut Courtois, and Kevin De Bruyne emerged as the three strongest contenders for UEFA Player of the Year, reflecting a period of exceptional performances across the continent. Benzema, the French striker, secured a remarkable season by delivering standout performances that helped his team reach crucial milestones. His contribution was highlighted by an impressive tally of goals in the competition, underscoring why he stood at the forefront of European football that year.
Courtois, the Belgian goalkeeper, stood tall in the goal for Real Madrid, steering the team through a demanding domestic campaign and delivering pivotal moments when it mattered most. His heroics in the Champions League, including key interventions in the final, solidified his reputation as one of the game’s most reliable shot-stoppers. The season also cemented his status as a decisive performer on the continental stage, where goalkeeping excellence can tilt the balance in tight matches.
Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian maestro for Manchester City, consistently demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the game’s most influential midfielders. Named as a finalist for the third consecutive year, De Bruyne helped City secure another domestic title while orchestrating attacks with his trademark vision and passing range. His presence on the field translated into numerous decisive moments that contributed to his team’s sustained success during a highly competitive period.
✨ CANDIDATES: 2021/22 UEFA Player of the Year ✨
Karim Benzema Thibaut Courtois Kevin De Bruyne
️ The winners of the UEFA awards would be announced in the moments surrounding the UEFA Champions League draw, with the ceremony taking place in late August 2022. This event marked a culmination of a season filled with outstanding individual and team performances across Europe.
– Champions League (@LigadeCampeones) August 12, 2022
From a curated list of the top 15 performers compiled by a UEFA technical working group, the final trio was chosen by a jury that included representatives from clubs participating in the UEFA Champions League group stage, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Conference League for the 2021/22 season. A panel of journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) also contributed to the process, ensuring a balanced assessment that respected both on-field impact and consistency across competitions.
The voting process assigned five points to the first place, three to the second, and one to the third. Coaches were not allowed to vote for players from their own teams, maintaining a level of objectivity in the final judgment. In addition to the eventual top three, a broader list highlighted other standout performers who left a lasting imprint on the season.
Other players in the final consideration list of 15 included figures who delivered notable campaigns with their clubs. Robert Lewandowski, then with Bayern Munich before his move to Barcelona, accumulated 54 points. Luka Modrić of Real Madrid added 52 points, while Sadio Mané, having moved to Bayern, tallied 51 points. Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Junior, Bernardo Silva, Filip Kostić, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Fabinho rounded out the finalist cohort with varying degrees of influence and recognition across the season. Each player’s performances across domestic leagues and UEFA competitions contributed to a wide-ranging debate about value, impact, and consistency throughout Europe’s football landscape.