Lucy Bronze becomes first English player to win UEFA Women's Player of the Year award
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England defender Lucy Bronze has won the 2018/19 UEFA Women's Player of the Year award, defeating her Lyon club teammates Ada Hegerberg of Norway and Amandine Henry of France to become the first English player to receive the trophy.

The 27-year-old had a remarkable 2018/19 season by winning UEFA Women's Champions League, French League and French Cup with Lyon women's football club. She also reached the World Cup semi-finals with England and grabbed a FIFA Women's World Cup Silver Ball award.

"I'm ecstatic and super humbled to have won the award up against two fantastic players who I know really well at Lyon: two great girls, great players," said Bronze.

"I want to say huge thanks to the Lionesses, the England team. We had a great summer and I don't think I would have won this award if it wasn't for them. The same goes for the Lyon team. We had an amazing season, we won the treble. I think anyone of those girls could have been up here receiving this award."

Before that, Bronze has ranked fifth-place for the award in 2017-18 and became the highest ranking of all the English players in this award. Former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney finished a sixth-place in 2010/11 as the highest ranking in English male player.

Lucy Bronze celebrates winning the UEFA Women's Champions League at Groupama Arena on in Budapest, Hungary, May 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

Lucy Bronze celebrates winning the UEFA Women's Champions League at Groupama Arena on in Budapest, Hungary, May 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

Other award winners:

UEFA Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Best players of the 2018/19 Champions League: 

Alisson Becker (goalkeeper, Liverpool)

Virgil van Dijk (defender, Liverpool)

Frenkie de Jong (midfielder, Ajax)

Lionel Messi (forward, Barcelona)

UEFA President's Award: Eric Cantona