Treble winners Manchester City lose to football counterparts as Laureus announce 2024 World Team of the Year
Manchester City lost the 2024 World Team of the Year award to the Spanish women's national team for the previous season, despite winning the treble. On April 23, Laureus announced the Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (Spanish Women's National Team) as 2024's Team of the Year.
Manchester City had an incredible 2022-23 season, in which they won the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, and the FA Cup. The season marked their first treble in history, joining the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
However, the Spanish women's national team won the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time. They were also the winners of the 2024 UEFA Nations League. The official X account of Laureus praised the team's "remarkable resilience" and appreciated how they won the World Cup first time in history after overcoming a "group stage defeat."
Pep Guardiola led Manchester City to their first treble in the 2022-23 season
Although Manchester City weren't declared the Laureus World Team of the Year, the English club had an incredible season in which they won their first treble. City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the final to win their first UEFA Champions League title last year.
They also won their ninth Premier League title, edging past fellow league contenders Arsenal. Further, Guardiola's team won the FA Cup, defeating rivals Manchester United 2-1, with former captain Ilkay Gundogan scoring both goals. The German midfielder left Manchester City to join La Liga giants Barcelona last summer.
Despite a brilliant season, they lost out the Laureus World Team award to the Spanish Women's National Team, who were equally deserving of the honour. In the Women's World Cup final, Spain defeated England 1-0 with Olga Carmona Garcia scoring the winning goal.
Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati was key to Spain's victory in the World Cup. She was named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year after winning the World Cup and Nations League with Spain and the Women's Champions League and La Liga F with Barcelona Femení.