Andres Iniesta has been named best player of the European Championship after helping Spain become the first nation to successfully defend the continental crown.
The 28-year-old playmaker started all six of Spain's matches, including the 4-0 final victory over Italy at the Olympic Stadium in which he recorded an assist.
UEFA technical director Andy Roxbuirgh says "Iniesta deserved it. He symbolised the tournament - the creative, incisive runner, with and without the ball. We felt that he epitomized a lot of what we saw."
Roxbuirgh says UEFA's panel also considered Spain midfielders Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso, and Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo, for the award.
AP