Chelsea star Edouard Mendy wins top goalkeeper at FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards, while Erik Lamela’s Rabona goal in the north London derby for Arsenal claims Puskas prize
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Chelsea stopper Edouard Mendy has won FIFA’s ‘The Best’ goalkeeper prize to be crowned the world’s best shot stopper.
Having won the Champions League with Chelsea last season, Mendy saw off rivals Gianluigi Donnarumma, who won Euro 2020 with Italy, as well as Manuel Neuer.
The Blues success in Europe also ensured Thomas Tuchel picked up the award for best manager.
Chelsea stopper Edouard Mendy won best goalkeeper award at FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards
The Blues also saw Thomas Tuchel win best manager award having only arrived in January
Mendy and Tuchel were crucial towards helping Chelsea win the Champions League
Tuchel saw off competition from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who won the Premier League title but lost the Champions League final to the Blues, while Roberto Mancini was also pipped despite this stunning success with Italy at Euro 2020.
Tuchel revealed his delight at the award saying: ‘It was a pretty normal day so far at training. I have just come here. But now you have said my name and it is pretty surreal. I am overwhelmed and a bit uncomfortable.
‘I enjoy the journey and the club. It is a good fit. The company on the journey is so good. We lost a bit of track to Manchester City in the league but we follow our goals still and be the best version of ourselves.’
Meanwhile, Erik Lamela picked up the Puskas award for best goal following his incredible Rabona strike for Tottenham Hotspur against Arsenal in the north London derby last season at the Emirates Stadium.
Lamela, who has since moved to Sevilla, saw off strong competition from Czech Republic’s Patrik Schick who had scored an incredible 45-yard strike at Euro 2020 against Scotland at Hampden Park as well as Mehdi Taremi strike for Porto against Chelsea last April.
Mohamed Salah, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski are up to win the overall The Best player award.
Chile’s Christiane Endler, who joined Lyon from Paris St Germain in June 2021, was named women’s goalkeeper of the year.
More to follow…
More Stories
Furious Lions star Dayne Zorko claims AFL has legalised attacks on players’ genitals after rival who left him with ‘bruised’ groin got off with just a fine
Manchester United 2-3 Borussia Dortmund: Errors in defence lead Ten Hag’s men to defeat in Las Vegas
LeBron James ‘kept telling diners how grateful he was’ to be at dinner with son Bronny, 18, just four days after his cardiac arrest in basketball practice