The BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, better known as the BBCSPOTY, recently returned for the 2023 edition, and there were some big winners. The event, which was held at the MediaCityUK in Salford, had some of the biggest names in English football on paper, including Manchester City stars Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland.
Although these two didn’t make an appearance, they won big at the event, as Cityzens became big winners at the ceremony. Pep’s team continued to defy logic on the night they beat the Urawa Reds in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final to book a spot in the final of the tournament.
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola grab major honors at BBCSPOTY
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola were rewarded for their great campaign last season at this year’s BBCSPOTY. City became treble winners for the first time in their history last season. Pep Guardiola led the Cityzens to a historic win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last May.
The ‘Noisy Neighbors’ have dominated English football for the past few seasons, with Guardiola leading City to five Premier League titles in the last six seasons, including three consecutive times from the 2020–21 season.
The signing of Erling Haaland made City a different team, and they usurped Arsenal to win the league title in the last few games of the season, thanks to Haaland’s 30+ goals in the competition.
City also beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final to complete their treble, making them the best team in the world. This didn’t go unnoticed as City won the Team of the Year at the 2023 BBCSPOTY, and their manager was named the Coach of the Year on the night they took a step closer to winning the FIFA Club World Cup.
Erling Haaland wins World Sports Star award at BBCSPOTY
Erling Haaland has been the world’s deadliest striker since signing for Manchester City in the summer of 2022. His goalscoring prowess helped City win the treble last season, with Haaland bossing the Premier League like he had been playing in it for many years.
The Norwegian striker was in line to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, but Lionel Messi claimed it ahead of the City star. However, Haaland still managed to win UEFA’s Men’s Player of the Year award and is now the BBC World Sports Star at the recent BBCSPOTY event.
Erling Haaland has also scored 50 goals in 2023, the same as his idol Cristiano Ronaldo and one behind Harry Kane, who leads the chart for the year.
Haaland is now recovering from an injury to help him prepare for the second half of the season as City continue to fall short in the Premier League title race.
Can Erling Haaland and Manchester City win the Premier League this season?
