The annual Oscar del Calcio awards ceremony is organised by the Italian Assocation of Footballers (AIC) and were voted on by the players during the close-season, reflecting performances during the 2008-09 campaign.This allowed Barcelona's Ibrahimovic, Serie A top scorer last term with 25 goals, to pick up both the Best Overall Player and the Best Foreign Player awards for the second successive year.
"I miss Italy," he said at the gala. "I learnt so much in five years and won lots. But now I am enjoying Spain and I love it at Barcelona."
His former coach Mourinho, who has often clashed with his counterparts and with the Italian media, won the Best Coach award after leading Inter to last season's Serie A title in his first campaign in charge. The clinching of a fourth consecutive Scudetto was also recognised as the club were elected Team of the Year.
"This recognition has a unique significance because it's the first time that I have been given an award based on the votes of the players," said Mourinho.
"I thank the players of the other teams but, above all, I thank my players who ran for me last year, and all those who are running for me now."
The gong for Best Italian Player went to Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi while Inter's Julio Cesar was voted Serie A's Best Goalkeeper.
Best Young Player was AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato, the Best Defender award went for a second successive year to Juventus centre-back Giorgio Chiellini and Roberto Rosetti picked up the title of Best Referee for a fourth time.
Supporters also had the opportunity to take part as they voted Inter's Diego Milito the most popular player, awarding him the Fans' Award. The former Genoa forward also received a special award for Most Goals scored during the calendar year.
Fabio Quagliarella's stunning strike for former club Udinese against his current club Napoli, on 22 January 2009, was voted as the Best Goal of the Year.
Finally, Ascoli coach Giuseppe Pillon won the Fair Play Award for his teams sporting gesture during a Serie B match with Reggina earlier this season.
Meanwhile, during the course of the evening Mourinho ironically suggested Sunday's Milan derby should be called off.
"I'll take advantage of the presence of [Lega Calcio President Maurizio] Beretta to do the same as [AC Milan vice-President Adriano] Galliani. President, Samuel Eto'o is playing in the Africa Cup of Nations, and we have four injured players, so can we not play Sunday's derby?" he joked, provoking laughter from the audience.
The comment came after city rivals Milan had their request of moving the Coppa Italia quarter-final tie against Udinese - previously scheduled ahead of this Sunday's derby - accepted by the Lega Calcio, a decision which infuriated their neighbours.
Source: Reuters / AIC / Sportitalia
No comments:
Post a Comment