Federico Chiesa and Cristiana Girelli have been awarded the Pallone Azzurro for 2021. The two attackers were chosen as the best of the year for their respective national teams by the more than 8000 votes from the fans via the FIGC website (www.figc.it), between 14 to 30 December.

With 17 appearances, 3 goals and a European Championship in 2021, Chiesa won 46% of the votes, beating Nicolò Barella (20%) and Leonardo Spinazzola (14%). Cristiana Girelli, who has made 9 appearances in the last year for the national team and scored 9 goals, received 44% of the votes, ahead of Barbara Bonansea 26% and Valentina Giacinti 17%.

Chiesa and Girelli emerged as winners from a shortlist of five candidates for each of the two national teams (Barella, Chiesa, Donnarumma, Insigne, Spinazzola and Bonansea, Cernoia, Giacinti, Girelli, Pirone), which was decided by the fans’ votes in the polls for the best Azzurro and best Azzurra held after their respective competitions in 2021.