Jorginho and Putellas win UEFA Player of the Year awards

Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho was named European soccer body UEFA's men's Player of the Year for 2020-21 on Thursday while Barcelona's Alexia Putellas won the women's award.

Brazilian-born Jorginho, 29, won the Champions League and European championship with club and country this year.

A year to remember for Jorginho 🙌#UEFAawards | #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/jbRs1eYVNs

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 26, 2021

Chelsea's Thomas Tuechel was voted men's coach of the year and Barcelona's Lluis Cortes took the trophy for women's coach.

The awards were announced at the Champions League draw in Istanbul.

Jorginho was already cast as the favourite on an all-midfield short list of three, with Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne and Chelsea team mate N'Golo Kante the other contenders.

🏆 A #UCL winner with Chelsea just 4 months after being appointed, Thomas Tuchel is the UEFA Men's Coach of the Year! 👏👏👏#UEFAawards | #UCLdraw | @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/tE1atnxrTD

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 26, 2021

UEFA said Jorginho had won 175 points in the voting by coaches and journalists, to De Bruyne's 167 and Kante's 160. Argentine Lionel Messi, a six times Ballon d'Or winner, was fourth with 148.

Spain midfielder and Barcelona captain Putellas, who beat club team mates Jenni Hermoso and Lieke Martens to the trophy, won the women's Champions League in May.

Alexia Putellas is the UEFA Women's Player of the Year! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/7oXmdmnYWt

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 26, 2021

▪️Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas
▪️Goalkeeper of the Season: Sandra Panos
▪️Defender of the Season: Irene Paredes
▪️Midfielder of the Season: Alexia Putellas
▪️Forward of the Season: Jenni Hermoso
▪️Coach of the Year: Lluis Cortes

Barcelona Femeni sweep the UEFA awards 😤 pic.twitter.com/fBLu84hcvq

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 26, 2021