News : Inter completes clean sweep of UEFA Club Awards |
Inter completes clean sweep of UEFA Club Awards
inter.it 2010.08.27. 13:22
MONTE CARLO - Inter completed a clean sweep of the UEFA Club Football Awards at the Grimaldi Forum this evening during the draw for the group stages of the 2010/11 Champions League, which saw the defending European champions drawn against Werder Bremen, Tottenham Hotspur and FC Twente.
Julio Cesar was named best goalkeeper, Maicon best defender, Wesley Sneijder best midfielder and Diego Milito best forward. The Argentine striker also carried off the award for best player.
Julio Cesar beat off competition from Olympique Lyon's Hugo Lloris and Barcelona's Victor Valdes to win the Club goalkeeper of the year award. "Thank you for the award, it was a marvellous year," said the Brazilian keeper during his acceptance speech. "All the Inter players were fantastic; I wouldn't have won it without them. I also want to thank Inter president Massimo Moratti."
Next up was Maicon to collect the Club defender of the year award. "I would like to thank my president and my team-mates," said the Inter full-back, whose team-mate Lucio was among the shortlisted players along with Piqué. Asked how he manages to stay in top form, Maicon replied. "I train hard because preparation is the most important thing."
Between one phase of the draw and another, Wesley Sneijder followed Maicon on to the stage to take the Club midfielder of the year award, pipping Xavi and Robben to the prize. "It has been a really fantastic year, I am very happy to be an Inter player," he said. "I'm dedicating this award to my wife, the president and my team-mates. I am very proud."
Diego Milito, who got both goals in our Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich, was named Club forward of the year ahead of Messi and Rooney. Recalling that fantastic night at the Bernabeu, Milito said. "When I think back to the final in Madrid, it was the perfect night. Thank you for this award. I am very proud. I thank my family, my team-mates and the president. I share this award with them."
All four players returned to the stage on completion of the group stage draw for the presentation of the Best club player award. It went to Diego Milito. "It's an enormous emotion to receive this award as well," he said.
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