Sunday November 24, 2024

Zielinski wins Polish Footballer of the Year 2023 award

Published : 06 Feb 2024, 11:58

DF News Desk

Piotr Zielinski takes a penalty kick during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Napoli and Liverpool in Naples, Italy, Sept. 7, 2022. File Photo: Xinhua by Alberto Lingria.

SSC Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski was named Polish Footballer of the Year in Warsaw on Monday evening, reported Xinhua.

In 2023, the 29-year-old played a pivotal role in leading the "Partenopei" to the Italian title, contributing three goals and eight assists in 37 appearances.

Zielinski ended the streak of FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, who had secured the award in the previous four editions.

Zielinski was unable to attend the ceremony, and his father, Boguslaw Zielinski, accepted the award on his behalf.

"As a father I would like to say I'm really proud. I believe it will be an additional motivation for Piotr to play even better. The year of 2024 will be difficult, but I predict the Poland national team will qualify for the UEFA Euro 2024," he said.

Zielinski will leave Napoli at the end of the season as his contract expires in June 2024. The midfielder remains in advanced talks with Inter Milan to join the club on free transfer.

"I think he has already chosen his new club and he will stay in Italy," the player's father revealed.

VfL Wolfsburg striker Ewa Pajor won the title of the Best Female Footballer, while the Polish champions Rakow Czestochowa claimed the Polish Team of the Year title.