Parma, 18 December 2024 - Dennis Man has won the Gazeta Sporturilor award as the best Romanian footballer in 2024. This award, which is the Romanian version of the Ballon d'Or, is now in its 59th edition: the trophy has been won by 34 footballers so far, with only 11 coming in first place twice. Dennis Man, with today's award, is among these 11, having won it the first time in 2020.

The other ten footballers are Gheorghe Hagi (1985, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000), Gheorghe Popescu (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996), Adrian Mutu (2003, 2005, 2007, 2008), Nicolae Dobrin (1966, 1967, 1971), Cornel Dinu (1970, 1972, 1974), Cristian Chivu (2002, 2009, 2010), Florea Dumitrache (1968, 1969), Ion Dumitru (1973, 1975), Ladislao Boloni (1977, 1983) and Ilie Bălăci (1981, 1982).

The winners were decided by the votes from the public, coaches, team captains, presidents of Romanian First Division clubs and journalists from Gazeta Sporturilor.

Parma Calcio congratulates Dennis on the prestigious award received. ‘I am happy that the work done with my club has been appreciated by my compatriots and in my country; this makes me full of pride. I want to thank all those who voted for me and supported me, as well as my teammates, with whom I want to share this trophy,’ commented Dennis Man.

Gazeta Sporturilor also awarded the prizes to the best coach, the best foreign player in the national league and the best athlete.

In 2024, the winners of these categories are Edward Iordănescu (former national team coach, who won the Euro 2024 group stage and secured Romania's qualification for the round of 16), Risto Radunovici (Montenegro, FCSB left-back) and David Popovici (swimming, Olympic champion in the 200-metre freestyle, Olympic bronze medallist in the 100-metre freestyle, European champion in the 100-metre and 200-metre freestyle).