Alexia Putellas named 2020/21 UEFA Women's Player of the Year

Barcelona star Alexia Putellas has won the 2020/21 UEFA Women's Player of the Year Award.

The club captain was in outstanding form all season as she led Barcelona to Primera Division, Champions League and Copa de la Reina de Futbol glory.

The success of the team made it a clean sweep on the podium for Barcelona. Alexia was up against team-mates Jenni Hermoso and Lieke Martens, but it was the midfielder who got the nod for the top prize.

"I'm very happy to receive the UEFA Women's Player of the Year Award," she told UEFA's award ceremony. "Firstly, I would like to thank my team-mates and the whole team who made it possible for us to have such a successful season.

"At the end of the day, it is the entire team and club that has won this award. It is such an achievement that so many Barcelona players are nominated for the award. Now, let's go for more."

Alexia also took home the Midfielder of the Year award ahead of team-mate Aitana Bonmati and Chelsea's Ji So-yun, and manager Lluis Cortes kept Barcelona's fun going by taking home the Coach of the Year prize, beating Chelsea's Emma Hayes and Sweden's Peter Gerhardsson.

"I'd like to thank UEFA and all the members of the jury who thought that I deserved this award. It's an honour and a pleasure," Cortes said. "I've been working in women's football for many years and I am very happy to receive this recognition."

Barcelona's Sandra Panos was named the Goalkeeper of the Year ahead of Chelsea's Ann-Katrin Berger and Lyon's Christian Endler, while Hermoso got her recognition in the Forward of the Year category.

In defence, it was Irene Paredes who won the award. The Spaniard spent the year with Paris Saint-Germain but is now on the books at Barcelona, so technically, it's a clean sweep for the Blaugrana.

"I'd like to thank my teammates and Paris staff," Paredes said. "It's thanks to their efforts, as well as my own, that I have won this award.

"I'd also like to thank my family and my partner, Lucia, who are always supporting me and helping me achieve my goals."