ESPN Launches Players of the Month Awards
ESPN has launched a new initiative to recognize the top performers across Europe’s premier football leagues with its inaugural Players of the Month awards. Each month, a panel of experts will vote for standout athletes in five major leagues: the Premier League, Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A, and Ligue 1.
Selection Process
The selection process involves three journalists from different countries for each league, who tally votes based on their top three picks. Players earn points depending on their ranking—10 points for first, 5 for second, and 3 for third, leading to a possible score of up to 30 points. In the event of a tie, the number of first-place votes decides the winner.
Highlights from October
This month’s results reflect remarkable achievements from top players:
Bundesliga
Leading the Bundesliga is Harry Kane from Bayern Munich, who gathered 25 out of a possible 30 points. The English forward has been pivotal in Bayern’s recent impressive form, contributing 22 goals and three assists in just 15 matches this season. With Kane’s help, Bayern has secured a remarkable 18-match winning streak across various competitions, including Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League fixtures.
In October alone, he scored multiple goals in key matches against clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund, solidifying his position as the league’s current top scorer.
Following Kane, Christoph Baumgartner of RB Leipzig earned the second spot with 10 points, while Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer Leverkusen took third with 8 points.
Ligue 1
In Ligue 1, the standout player was Mason Greenwood of Marseille, who has quickly become a key player since his transfer from Manchester United. Greenwood, with 20 points, excelled in October by scoring five goals in four matches, backing his team’s pursuit of a top position in the league.
Ranked second in Ligue 1 was Joaquin Panichelli from Strasbourg, who also received 20 points, while Ilan Kebbal from Paris FC completed the podium with 5 points.
LaLiga
Over in LaLiga, Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid earned a perfect score of 30 points from all three ESPN journalists. His performances were instrumental in securing victories over key rivals including Barcelona. With an impressive five goals and assists across three matches, he has helped maintain Real Madrid’s lead in the league standings.
“Kylian’s impact has been undeniable this month, showcasing his talent on the biggest stages.”
Jorge de Frutos from Rayo Vallecano and a trio of players—including Jan Oblak from Atletico Madrid—tied for the third position, earning them each 5 points.
Serie A
In Serie A, Frank Anguissa of Napoli also made his mark, achieving 20 points. He played a crucial role in Napoli’s successes this month, helping the team to share the top spot in the league. In the second and third places were Nico Paz from Como with 16 points and a tie for third among three players, each with 5 points.
Premier League
Lastly, in the Premier League, Yoane Wissa from Manchester United led the way with another maximum score of 30 points. His performances across three league wins were vital for the team, which is aiming high this season. Second place went to the prolific Erling Haaland of Manchester City, and a tie for third was seen among several players.
Conclusion
With this new recognition program, ESPN showcases not only talent but also the dynamic excitement of European football, placing attention on players who significantly impact their teams’ successes every month.
