England stars are simply 'The Best'
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England's Sarina Wiegman and Mary Earps were honoured at FIFA's The Best Awards for 2022 in Paris on Monday evening.
After an incredible year for the Lionesses in which they became European champions last summer, there were three nominations across the categories for Wiegman, Earps and Beth Mead.
And at a star-studded event in the French capital, it was a successful night for the Lionesses with Earps first to receive her award as The Best Goalkeeper for 2022.
She was then followed onto the stage by her coach Wiegman, who was named as The Best coach for the third time in her career, after leading England to their first major honour.
There was then recognition for four more England players in Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Keira Walsh and Mead, who were all named in the FIFA FIFPro Women's World XI.
Signing us off for the night! 👋#TheBest pic.twitter.com/LQpd1671w7
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) February 27, 2023
Mead had been nominated for the final award of The Best Women's Player, but unfortunately missed out as Spain's Alexia Putellas took the honour.
Lionesses striker Alessia Russo had also been nominated for the Puskas Award, for her wonderful back-heeled goal against Sweden in the EURO semi-final, but that was won by amputee footballer Marcin Oleksy whose stunning overhead volley was a unanimous choice.
On collecting her award, Earps said: "I don't really know what to say, but thank you to everyone who voted for me, I feel really honoured to be holding this trophy.
"I want to say thank you to my loved ones, who have picked me up off the kitchen floor to be here today, not specifically tonight, but a few years ago.
"Thank you to all of my teammates, without who this wouldn't have been possible and the coaching staff at Manchester United and England.
"Sarina, I've run out of words to say but thank you for the opportunity to chase my wildest dreams and for believing in me the way you have.
"This is for anyone who's been in a dark place, there's light at the end of the tunnel so keep going and you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Sometimes success looks like this and collecting trophies but sometimes it's just waking up and putting one foot in front of the other.
"There's only one of you in the world and that's more than good enough so be unapologetically yourself."
Wiegman added: "I'm very honoured, of course and it's all to do with the team and working with amazing football players and the staff. I have so many good people around me and support from the FA.
"I feel very honoured and privileged to receive that award again. It was an incredible year, so this award is for all of us."
Wiegman and her squad will be back in action in April on home soil when they take on Brazil at Wembley in the UEFA Finalissima on Thursday 6 April before Australia are the visitors to Brentford on Tuesday 11 April.