Toby Alderweireld sees his miraculous year in his city rewarded with the Golden Shoe. The 34-year-old defender from Antwerp wins Belgium’s most prestigious individual trophy 15 years after his professional debut. Arthur Vermeeren, Mark van Bommel and Jean Butez complete the celebration of number 1. Tessa Wullaert showed off the prestigious trophy again after three years of waiting.
Toby Alderweireld wins the Golden Shoe
A dream with his city team also earns him an individual honor.
Toby Alderweireld becomes the 13th defender to win the Golden Boot, succeeding Simon Mignolet. The (ex)Red Devil returned to Belgium last season to make Antwerp dream. He set up the defense and became their leader on and off the field.
And then of course there was that bang.
June 4, 2023 is etched in the memory of every Antwerp fan. With a goal in Genk, Alderweireld gave the Great Old their fourth national title in the 94th minute.
No, breaking through after 14 years at the highest level abroad – with Ajax, Atlético Madrid and Tottenham, among others – was not an option for the hyper-motivated defender. Driven by this ambition, Antwerp not only won the double, but also played in the group stage of the Champions League.
With 28 starting places in 30 matches in all competitions, the defensive rock is an indispensable part of Mark van Bommel’s plans this season. And therefore not out of the mind of the jury, which chose him with respect to the Union’s revelations.
Golden Boot Result (Men) 1. Toby Alderweireld Antwerp 2. Mohamed Amoura Union 3. Cameron Puertas Union
Fourth trophy (record) for Tessa Wullaert
A record. After tonight, Tessa Wullaert is the first Belgian footballer to win the Golden Boot four times.
In the last three years the testimonial of the Fiamme Rosse has had to give way to his colleagues. This year his performances – she is the Netherlands’ top scorer with 11 goals – have convinced the jury of Fortuna Sittard and Belgium. Marie Detruyer (OHL) and Janice Cayman (Lyon/Leicester) complete the podium.
Golden Boot Result (Women) 1. Tessa Wullaert Fortuna Sittard 254 2 Marie Detruyer OHL 137 3. Janice Cayman Lyon/Leicester 66 4. Nicky Evrard OHL/Chelsea 43 5. Sarah Wijnants Anderlecht 40 6. Lore Jacobs Anderlecht 37 7. Sari Kees OHL 33 7. Stefania Vatafu Anderlecht 33 9. Laura De Neve Anderlecht 24 10. Justine Vanhaevermaet Reading/Everton 21
Promise of the year: Arthur Vermeeren
A farewell award for Arthur Vermeeren? The Belgian talent with only 18 years of life behind him returns home with the Promise of the Year trophy. He succeeds Bilal El Khannous (Genk).
Vermeeren emerged in midfield at Antwerp last season. With his talent and his controlled football, he quickly became incontournable for Van Bommel. Transfer rumors have been circulating regarding the “Turke” in recent weeks. Although The Great Old hopes he can retain him for a new title fight.
results Promise of the year 1. Arthur Vermeeren Antwerp 835 2. Bilal El Khanous KRC Genk 281 3. Regalo Orban KAA Gent 208
Mark van Bommel Coach of the Year
He left his mark on Belgian football. Mark van Bommel wins the Coach of the Year award under the noses of Union competitors Karel Geraerts (now Schalke) and Alexander Blessin.
Naturally the change of coach of the current leader of the Jupiler Pro League influenced the votes that went to Union, but with the title and Cup in their pocket there is little to criticize about the choice for the Dutch T1.
results Coach of the Year 1. Mark van Bommel Antwerp 553 2. Alexander Blessin Union 407 3. Karel Geraerts Union/Schalke 04 314
Jean Butez is the goalkeeper of the year
A category without a clear favorite earned Antwerp a new individual award. After Toby Alderweireld’s goal of the year, goalkeeper Jean Butez also celebrated (28).
He succeeds Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge). The French goalkeeper was the constant element between the posts in Antwerp’s successful year. Butez therefore received more votes than Verbruggen (Anderlecht/Brighton) and Moris (Union).
results Goalkeeper of the Year 1. Jean Butez Antwerp 594 2. Anthony Moris Union 347 3. Bart Verbruggen Anderlecht/Brighton 225
Related:
70th Golden Shoe
Overall favorite Toby Alderweireld wins the Golden Shoe
Toby Alderweireld sees his miraculous year in his city rewarded with the Golden Shoe. The 34-year-old defender from Antwerp wins Belgium’s most prestigious individual trophy 15 years after his professional debut. It leaves Amoura and Puertas far behind.
Tessa Wullaert wins fourth Golden Shoe
After three years of absence at the top of the charts, Tessa Wullaert returns to win awards.
The emblem of the Fiamme Rosse has already won the prestigious trophy three times, but in recent years he has had to let go of colleagues Tine De Caigny, Janice Cayman and Nicky Evrard.
Wullaert leads the Dutch club’s attack. With 11 goals she is the Eredivisie’s top scorer. Sittard itself is in third place in the standings, where it also finished last season. She is and remains the first name on the scoresheet for the Fiamme Rosse too.
These merits earned Tessa Wullaert her fourth Golden Shoe. One that helps you forget the frustrations of previous (lost) editions.
I would like to thank my parents very much. Without them I wouldn’t be here. Everything I experienced last year is thanks to them.
Arthur Vermeeren
Promise of the year: Arthur Vermeeren
A farewell award for Arthur Vermeeren? The Belgian talent with only 18 years of life behind him returns home with the Promise of the Year trophy. He succeeds Bilal El Khannous (Genk).
I will pierce Doku this way.
Kevin De Bruyne
De Bruyne won the Golden Boot
After a hat-trick there was no other way. Kevin De Bruyne succeeds himself as the best Belgian abroad.
Twice Union and once Antwerp. These are the three remaining contenders for the men’s Golden Boot: Amoura, Puertas and Alderweireld.
A coach is only as good as his players. I could never do it without them. I would like to thank everyone, from the staff to the players, to my parents and especially to my wife.
Marco van Bommel
Coach of the Year: Mark van Bommel
He left his mark on Belgian football. Mark van Bommel wins the Coach of the Year award under the noses of Union competitors Karel Geraerts (now Schalke) and Alexander Blessin.
Naturally the change of coach of the current leader of the Jupiler Pro League influenced the votes that went to Union, but with the title and Cup in their pocket there is little to criticize about the choice for the Dutch T1.
Numbers from 10 to 4 for men
Many names now know that they will not pocket the Golden Shoe. Vermeeren surprisingly only finished 7th and Jan Vertonghen 5th:
10. Hugo Cuypers (40)
9. Orban Gift (65)
8. Vittorio Bonifacio (71)
7. Arthur Vermeeren (117)
6. Teddy Teuma (124)
5. Jan Vertonghen (170)
4. Mike Tesoro (185)
Jean Butez (Antwerp) is Goalkeeper of the Year
Another prize for number 1! Jean Butez succeeds Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge) as Goalkeeper of the Year. The French goalkeeper was the constant element between the posts in Antwerp’s successful year.
Goosebumps again! With this goal of the year, Alderweireld gave the title to Antwerp
Alderweireld wins Goal of the Year
“A very special moment,” says Toby Alderweireld. The Antwerp defender can’t say much about his title-winning goal against Genk. He earned him the Goal of the Year trophy.
Three more favorites among women
Janice Cayman, Marie Detruyer and Tessa Wullaert are still in the running for the women’s top prize. The public can now vote.
I don’t think there will be any surprises tonight. This is what my feeling says. Toby gets the Golden Shoe, he deserves it immensely.
Arthur Vermeeren
Arthur Vermeeren: “I don’t think there will be any surprises tonight”
Alderweireld: “The nerves aren’t that bad”
“Nerves? They’re not that bad,” Toby Alderweireld laughs calmly into our camera.
“There was a lot of tension in the house this week, but tonight I just want to enjoy it. I want to look back on a great 2023.”
The 34-year-old Antwerp defender is the big favorite tonight and also understands why he gets that stamp. “I certainly don’t want to make a plea for myself, but Antwerp had the best defense last season. And we won three trophies.”
“And if I didn’t win, I would give it to Arthur Vermeeren. He is proving to be very good at a young age.”
Toby Alderweireld: “Antwerp won all the awards, so it makes sense that someone from the team wins”
I’m relaxed, because I have no illusions. It’s been clear for some time that it will be Toby, I wish him so. For him everything went well in Antwerp: from the role he played to the trophies won by the club.
Jan Vertonghen
Jan Vertonghen: “I have no illusions”
Tessa Wullaert: “The tension rises”
“The trophy cabinet is already full, but I can always find a place for the fourth Golden Shoe,” says Tessa Wullaert with a wink on the red carpet.
The symbol man of the Fiamme Rosse is the favorite to win his fourth Golden Boot. “After a season like that I can assume I’m a contender. But until I hear my name called, I’ll wait and see, just like the others.”
“Last year I wasn’t here, so I was able to put into perspective the fact that I missed it. Now I’m here, because the organization uses the points system like the men. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s a beautiful evening with some happy reunions with friends. Although the tension increases as we get closer to the awards ceremony. I’ll still try to enjoy it.”
Tessa Wullaert: “After a season like this, I guess I have a chance”
Alderweireld visibly relaxed
There is no stress with favorite Toby Alderweireld. The Antwerp defender is in the running for the Golden Boot and also Goal of the Year. Yet he doesn’t feel any tension.
Not that Alderweireld doesn’t want to take home the prize. “If I win the Golden Shoe I will also get it tattooed”, she laughs on the red carpet of the VTM.
For Alderweireld the trophy would be confirmation of having made the right choice by returning to Belgium.
Peter Vandenbempt
Tonight’s program
After 7pm, the stars of Belgian football will descend on Antwerp for the Golden Boot gala.
After the red carpet ceremonies, everyone prepares for the presentation of the first prizes. This year it will be from 9.45pm. Don’t miss a single update in our live blog.
If there is a surprise winner from Club Brugge tonight, they will not be able to collect the trophy. Blue-black has a good reason for this.
70 years of discussions
The Golden Boot is awarded to a player who performs well in a calendar year, so someone who performs well throughout an entire season may not be eligible.
“And this has been discussed for seventy years, since the first discussion,” says commentator Peter Vandenbempt.
“Because many good footballers leave at the end of the season, and therefore often cannot be admitted. Arthur Vermeeren, for example, risks never winning the Golden Boot.”
In the 2nd round of voting you will come out faster with the Union men, even if they will steal points from each other. I also went for Puertas and Amoura, with Vertonghen third. In the first round of voting Alderweireld was my number 1.
Gert Verheyen
Alderweireld performed fantastically throughout the year, but in the second half of the year other players stood out. I think his lead will be large after the first round of voting. He wins it with his nose.
Gert Verheyen
Toby Alderweireld is a great personality who has returned with great success after a great career abroad. He is down to earth and provides leadership. And it was also decisive in the championship. What happened there is unsurpassable.
Gert Verheyen
70th Golden Shoe
This evening the Golden Shoe will be awarded for the 70th time. Can Toby Alderweireld live up to his role as his favorite? We follow him closely on this page.
