What is European Sportsman of the Year?

European Sportsman of the Year is an annual award given to the most outstanding sportsman from Europe, as judged by a panel of sports journalists from around the world. The award was established in 1954 by the Italian sports newspaper *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, and is currently presented by the European Sports Media (ESM).

The award is open to any sportsman from Europe, regardless of their nationality or sport. The winner is determined by a vote of the ESM jury, which is composed of sports journalists from more than 30 countries. The jury considers the sporting achievements of the nominees over the past year, as well as their character and personality.

The European Sportsman of the Year award is one of the most prestigious awards in sports. Past winners include some of the greatest athletes of all time, such as Muhammad Ali, Pelé, and Michael Schumacher. The current holder of the award is Real Madrid and France forward Karim Benzema.

Here is a list of the past winners of the European Sportsman of the Year award:

* 2022: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid, France)

* 2021: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich, Poland)

* 2020: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich, Poland)

* 2019: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, Netherlands)

* 2018: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid, Croatia)

* 2017: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)

* 2016: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)

* 2015: Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina)

* 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal)

* 2013: Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich, France)