Multiple FC Barcelona winners at the Catalan Football Star Gala
As usual, FC Barcelona featured prominently at the eleventh Gala d'Estrelles del Futbol Català held this Monday evening at the Old Estrella Damm Factory in the city centre. There were prizes for all of Aitana Bonmatí, Oriol Romeu, Alejandro Balde, Sergio Gonález and Bojan Krkic.
FC Barcelona was represented by president Joan Laporta, first vice-president of the Sports Area Rafael Yuste, vice-president of the Institutional Area Elena Fort, vice-president of the Economic Area Eduard Romeu and the heads of each section, Xavier Barbany (roller hockey), Aureli Mas (futsal), Xavier Puig (women's football) and Jordi Casals (Barça Atlètic), as well as the head of the Presidents Office Enric Masip.
Aitana and Romeu, best Catalan players of the year
The most important prizes went to Barça players. Aitana beat Ona Batlle and Laia Codina with a massive 95.12% of the votes to take the Best Female Footballer award, while the men's team player overcame Jordi Alba and Sergio Gómez with 67.5% of the votes.
Oriol Romeu collected his award with the words "these are difficult times, but we know what needs to be managed and that will only make us stronger. We'll soon be bringing joy back to the fans."
Meanwhile, Aitana said on receiving yet another individual accolade that "everything I have achieved both individually and with the team these last few seasons has yet to sink in. We have a huge responsibility to change the way people think and break down barriers on and off the pitch."
Balde, breakthrough star
Alejandro Balde was also honoured ahead of Marc Casadó and Félix Garreta as the breakthrough player, winning 70% of the votes. During his acceptance speech, he said "this award is a reward for all the effort I made last season. I want to thank everyone who has been there for me, and the Federation too."
Maria Pérez, now on loan to Sevilla, got 68.42% of the women's vote ahead of Júlia Bartel and Meritxell Font. On her season in Andalusia, she commented that "it's doing me good to gain experience and get playing time."
Futsal honours Sergio González
Dídac Plana was not named futsal player of the year once again, but instead the award went to his team-mate Sergio González who got 40% of the vote to beat his goalkeeper and Adolfo. "I'm recovering well from my injury and looking forward to getting back to helping the team" he said.
Jury prize for Bojan Krkic
The Catalan federation-s jury picks a special player to honour on his or her career every year, and this year it went to Bojan Krkic, who recently retired from active duty and took a post in the Barça Football Area. "I am very grateful to FC Barcelona for giving me this new start at the club I love the most" he said. "I'm very excited about it."
The other awards went to Víctor García as "Best Referee", Clàudia Pons as "Best Futsal Coach", Anna Escribano as "Best Female Futsal Player", Pep Guardiola as "Best Football Manager", Gerard Moreno and Javi Puado as "Top Gaolscorers" and Irina Uribe as "Top Female Goalscorer."
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