andres iniesta crowned european best player 2012

iniesta receives his trophy

Andrés Iniesta has been voted the winner of the 2011/12 UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, the FC Barcelona and Spain midfielder finishing ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Andrés Iniesta has been voted the 2011/12 winner of the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award in Monaco.

The FC Barcelona midfielder, who helped Spain defend their UEFA European Championship title this summer, finished ahead of club-mate Lionel Messi, last year’s inaugural winner, and Real Madrid CF’s Cristiano Ronaldo in a poll of sports journalists representing each of UEFA’s member national associations.

Iniesta, 28, collected his prize following the UEFA Champions League group stage draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

The UEFA Best Player in Europe Award was born out of an initiative by UEFA President Michel Platini and has the intention of reviving the spirit of the old European Footballer of the Year award. For the vote, players were judged by their performances during the 2011/12 campaign in all competitions, both domestic and international, and at club and national team levels.

Source: UEFA