The selection was made after the draw for this season’s Champions League group in Monaco on Thursday. The players and coaches on the team that played in the European club tournament last season have voted for Haaland as the player of the season.

The Norwegian won the award in a battle against Lionel Messi and his Manchester City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne. The three received the most votes when the player was nominated.

In the end, Haaland’s name popped out of a hat most of the time.

When Haaland is finally called, you can read his name on the screen backstage. But instead of “Erling Haaland”UEFA has written “Erling Haarland”.

Fittingly enough, UEFA found a photo of the Norwegian star with his hair down.

Carl-Erik Torp, NRK football pundit, laughed when he noticed the name mistake.

– Haha, what should I say? One might think that it is easier to write down the name of one of the world’s best players than his own. It should be easier to Google and double check, says Torp.

– Live the dream

A proud Jærbu accepts the award on stage.

– I feel good, what else can I say? I won a triple when I was 22 years old. I’m living the dream. Being able to do this with my teammates is something special. “I’m happy, and this gives me the free motivation to keep working and win more titles,” Haaland told UEFA reporters in Monaco.

In the hall sit a moved Isabel Haugseng Johansen, who is suspected to be Haaland’s girlfriend, and Alfie’s father.

Haaland was recently named player of the year by the English players’ association PFA. He was also named Premier League player of the year in his debut season.

The Norwegian was asked how City can repeat last season’s success and win at least as many titles.

– I will do the best. It’s about motivation and keeping your head clear. There will probably be more eyes on us now, so we need to be better prepared and sharper. “I’m very motivated for another big season,” said the City striker.

– Pep is kinda scary

The female player of the year in UEFA context is Aitana Bonmatí from Barcelona. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) and Sarina Wiegman (English female footballer) were named coach of the year.

Guardiola was not present at Thursday’s awards ceremony but Haaland’s father Alfie was in the audience. The star striker was asked which of the two he found the scariest.

– Pep is a bit scary sometimes, but so can my dad. It’s something I love, which Pep screams at me. He’s trying to put something in my head that he thinks I don’t know. I’m not complaining, grinned Haaland.

Defending champions Manchester City will face RB Leipzig, Røde Stjerne and Young Boys in the group stage of the Champions League this fall.