Erling Haaland, not Man City teammate Rodri, should have won 2022-23 Champions League Player of the Season.
Rodri, the midfielder for Manchester City, was awarded the title of the 2022-23 Champions League Player of the Season on Sunday, following his team's triumph in the final against Inter. Rodri's decisive goal in the second half secured the victory and completed City's historic treble for the season. Despite his impressive performances, there has been some debate on whether his teammate, Erling Haaland, was more deserving of the accolade.
Haaland, the prolific striker, had an outstanding Champions League campaign, most notably scoring five goals against RB Leipzig in the round of 16, ultimately earning him the tournament's Golden Boot. Many fans and pundits argued that Haaland's contributions warranted greater recognition and felt that he had been unjustly overlooked in favor of Rodri.
Manchester City had a strong representation in the Champions League Team of the Season, with two defenders, three midfielders, and two forwards making the cut. Ruben Dias, a dependable presence in the knockout stages, featured alongside Kyle Walker in defense. Walker, despite being a substitute in the final, showcased his defensive prowess in the semifinals against Real Madrid.
In midfield, John Stones joined Rodri, having also scored a crucial goal against Bayern Munich and missing just one game in the competition. Kevin De Bruyne, who provided seven assists and scored against Real Madrid, completed the formidable midfield trio. Bernardo Silva, who excelled in the second-leg victory over Real Madrid, earned a spot on the right wing.
Upfront, Haaland, the tournament's top scorer with 12 goals, was an obvious inclusion. Alongside him was Vinicius Junior, Haaland's Real Madrid teammate, who demonstrated his attacking prowess throughout the campaign. The defensive line consisted of Federico Dimarco and Alessandro Bastoni from Inter, along with Thibaut Courtois in goal.
Manchester City's dominance extended beyond individual awards, as they featured seven players in the Team of the Season and secured three positions in the Goal of the Season shortlist. Rodri's well-placed shot against Bayern Munich ranked tenth, De Bruyne's powerful strike at Real Madrid claimed seventh, and Haaland's acrobatic finish against Borussia Dortmund was crowned the top goal of the campaign.
While Rodri's recognition as the Player of the Season sparked debate, there is no denying the collective achievements of Manchester City in their successful Champions League campaign. The team showcased their strength in various positions and demonstrated the depth of talent at their disposal. Ultimately, it was their cohesive efforts that led to their triumph in Europe's elite club competition.
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