Dutch Lieke Martens named best female footballer in world
Lieke Martens was named female football player of the year at the FIFA Gala on Monday. And coach Sarina Wiegman won the title of best coach of a women's team. The two women, and the rest of the Oranje Lionesses, won the European Championship over the summer. The Dutch women were not at the award ceremony in London, because they are preparing for the World Cup qualifier against Norway in Groningen on Tuesday, NU.nl reports.
Martens beat Deyna Castellanos from Venezuela and Carli Lloyd, the American who won the prize last year, for this title. "Just incredible, such a beautiful thing, you work very hard and then you are rewarded, and together too", Martens responded through Dutch football association KNVB. "But I would never have won this prize without all the top players in the team. 2017 is a year we'll never forget, not Sarina and me, but I also think no one will."
Martens was also voted best player of the European Championship. And in August she was named best player in Europe.
Wieman beat Danish Nils Nielsen and French Gerard Precheur for the title of best coach of a woman's team.
"What an honor and what a great moment", Wiegman responded, according to the newspaper "This is a wonderful acknowledgement after the European Championship this past summer. But of course this would not have happened without all the players and a great staff. We really dit it all. I would also like to thank my parents, husband and two children for all the support I always get from them."
