Aitana Bonmatí, favorite for UEFA Women's Player of the Year and the Golden Ball

Aitana Bonmatí, MVP of the World Cup and clear favorite for the Golden Ball

Aitana Bonmatí led Barça in the conquest of their second Champions League and the Spanish national team to show off the first world star. The Sant Pere de Ribes was recognized as the best footballer in the top European competition and Golden Ball of the World Cup, so it is not too daring to ensure that she starts as the great favorite to be proclaimed this afternoon as the UEFA Player of the Year.

The 25-year-old midfielder has signed a fantastic season with her great technical quality and vision of the game, and has been compared to Andrés Iniesta. As a great culé, Aitana loves that simile.

The UEFA awards will be presented this afternoon during the draw for the group stage of the men's Champions League and there will be a well-deserved recognition to Miroslav Klose. 

Aitana Bonmatí competes with the Real Madrid player Olga Carmona and the 'blue' Sam Kerr. The Sevillian has been very protagonist in the World Cup. He scored the goal in-extremis that gave the pass to the final against Sweden, and especially, the one of the final against England, but penalizes not adding with Madrid.

For her part, the Australian Kerr was at the gates of glory in the Champions League – she lost against Barça – and in the World Cup, the 'Matildas' finished fourth.

More open is the award for the best coach in the women's football category.

Barça could triumph twice with Jonatan Giráldez, the architect on the bench of the treble Champions, League F and League Cup, but Sarina Wiegman endorses his career with England. Vilda would be ruled out and will not even travel.

As for men's football, two 'cityzens', Haaland and De Bruyne, compete with Leo Messi as Player of the Year and it is the Norwegian who points to favorite, as the season is rewarded. Champions League and Premier League champion coach Pep Guardiola is also aiming for the award ahead of Italians Inzagui – Champions League finalist with Inter – and Spalletti, winner of the Seie A with Napoli.