UEFA’s Technical Observer panel has named Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior as the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season after the Brazilian spearheaded his team to its 15th UEFA Champions League glory following a 2-0 victory over Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.
Vinícius Júnior, who has been pivotal in this season’s campaign for Los Blancos, scored six goals in all, including the clincher in the final against Dortmund.
Vinícius Júnior’s statement after being crowned with the accolade:
“I’m very happy to be able to win another Champions League with this club, which has given me so much,” said the Brazilian international after the Wembley showpiece. “It’s an incredible thing. Not everyone can experience it and win it so many times.”
Jude Bellingham is another Real Madrid player who scooped the award for the Young Player of the Season. Jude has been exceptional in his debut season, culminating in Saturday night’s UEFA Champions League triumph against his former club Borussia Dortmund.
Jude’s words after he earned the accolade:
“I’ve always dreamed of playing in these games,” said the 20-year-old England midfielder. “I can’t put it into words. It’s the best night of my life. It’s got to be up there in terms of the perfect season. I couldn’t have dreamed it much better than this. I’m so grateful to my teammates, my family, the team behind the scenes: the physios, everyone there. This is a massive group effort.”
The UEFA Technical Observer panel, based on performances in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League, also named the 2024 season squad which
Goalkeeper
Gregor Kobel (Dortmund)
Defenders
Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid)
Mats Hummels (Dortmund)
Ian Maatsen (Dortmund)
Midfielders
Marcel Sabitzer (Dortmund)
Vitinha (Paris)
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Forwards
Phil Foden (Man City)
Harry Kane (Bayern)
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
Also, the top ten goals of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League season have been selected by UEFA’s Technical Observer panel, with Federico Valverde’s superbly executed first-time volley for Real Madrid against Manchester City earning the honour of Goal of the Season.
2023/24 UEFA Champions League Goal of the Season:
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid 3-3 Man City) – Quarter-final first leg, 09/04/2024
Raphinha (Paris 2-3 Barcelona) – Quarter-final first leg, 10/04/2024
Niclas Füllkrug (Dortmund 4-2 Atlético de Madrid) – Quarter-final second leg, 16/04/2024
Phil Foden (Real Madrid 3-3 Man City) – Quarter-final first leg, 09/04/2024
Bruma (Union Berlin 2-3 Braga) – Matchday 2, 03/10/2023
Kylian Mbappé (Real Sociedad 1-2 Paris) – Round of 16 second leg, 05/03/2024
Rodrygo (Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli) – Matchday 5, 29/11/2023
Jude Bellingham (Napoli 2-3 Real Madrid) – Matchday 2, 03/10/2023
Tetê (Galatasaray 2-2 Copenhagen) – Matchday 1, 20/09/2023
Alphonso Davies (Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern) – Semi-final second leg, 08/05/2024
