Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé has been crowned the Best Men’s Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards' Europe Edition, held in Sardinia, Italy.
The prestigious award acknowledges Mbappé’s exceptional performances for both PSG and the French national team, solidifying his reputation as one of the world's best footballers.
Over the past year, Mbappé has been instrumental in PSG’s domestic dominance, as well as France’s strong international performances, showcasing his electrifying pace, clinical finishing, and leadership on the field.
Expressing his gratitude, Mbappé stated, “Winning this award is a great honor. It’s a recognition of the hard work I’ve put in, and I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and fans for their constant support.”
The Globe Soccer Awards, which celebrate excellence in football, honor top players, coaches, and clubs worldwide.
Mbappé’s victory places him alongside previous winners like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Robert Lewandowski, further cementing his place among the sport’s elite.
PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised Mbappé’s impact, saying, “Kylian is a phenomenal player and a true leader. He continues to set new standards in football, and this award is well deserved.”
With speculation growing over Mbappé’s future, including potential moves to Real Madrid or the Premier League, the forward remains focused on his current success.
“I always strive to improve and achieve more. My journey is far from over, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
Bayern Munich, under the guidance of head coach Vincent Kompany, secured a 2-1 victory over Celtic in their Champions League playoff first leg at Celtic Park.
The match saw Michael Olise open the scoring with a stunning strike just before halftime, followed by Harry Kane doubling the lead early in the second half with a volley from a Joshua Kimmich corner.
Despite Bayern controlling 70% possession in the first half, Celtic's disciplined defense kept them at bay until Olise's breakthrough.
Celtic's Nicolas Kühn had an early effort ruled offside, and Daizen Maeda later reduced the deficit with a close-range header in the 79th minute.
Celtic pressured Bayern in the final stages, but Bayern's defense, including a crucial late save from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, preserved their lead.
Reflecting on the performance, Kompany stated, "Celtic pushed us to the limit in the final minutes, but our squad showed great composure under pressure. These are the moments that define top teams."
Celtic, backed by a passionate home crowd, displayed determination and intensity as they fought to find an equalizer.
The Scottish club came close on multiple occasions, forcing Bayern's defense into crucial interventions.
Despite the loss, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers took positives from his team’s performance, saying, "I'm incredibly proud of the fight we showed. We went toe-to-toe with one of Europe's best, and on another night, we could have taken something from the game."
With this result, Bayern holds a narrow advantage heading into the second leg in Munich, while Celtic faces the challenge of overturning the deficit to keep their Champions League aspirations alive.
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