The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) has delivered a momentous announcement, awarding Bruno Fernandes and Khadija Shaw the coveted Player of the Year awards for the 2025-26 season. This recognition follows a long-standing tradition of celebrating excellence in football, solidifying their positions as the pinnacle of the game’s accolades.
Bruno Fernandes, a cornerstone of Manchester United’s success, has consistently delivered exceptional performances throughout his career, breaking the record for assists in a single Premier League campaign with 21. This unprecedented statistic marks the first time a United player has achieved this distinction since Wayne Rooney in 2010, showcasing his unmatched contribution to the team.
Khadija Shaw, a dynamic forward, has secured her third consecutive Women’s Super League Golden Boot with 21 goals, highlighting her pivotal role in Manchester City’s Champions League triumph. This remarkable goal tally represents a significant milestone for the club and a testament to her exceptional individual talent.
Beyond Fernandes and Shaw, the PFA recognized a deserving successor in Nico O’Reilly, who successfully succeeded Morgan Rogers as the men’s Young Player of the Year. He contributed eight goal involvements (five goals) and nine clean sheets, showcasing his versatility and crucial impact on City’s attack.
O’Reilly’s performance on the final day of the season against Brighton, where he scored a crucial third, underscored his talent and significantly boosted Manchester City’s chances of securing Champions League qualification. His contribution was instrumental in securing the team’s third-place finish.
Arsenal’s Olivia Smith retained her crown as the Women’s Young Player of the Year, achieving a remarkable feat after years of consistent excellence. The 21-year-old’s versatility and contributions were crucial to Arsenal’s success, highlighting her importance to the team.
The Canadian international, 22-year-old, scored 10 goals in all competitions after joining the Gunners for £1m last summer from Liverpool. Her goal-scoring ability and impact on the team were undeniable.
Although Man United experienced a less-than-stellar campaign, Fernandes enjoyed a season of individual brilliance, surpassing Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in the Premier League. He also contributed to the team’s victory against Arsenal in the League Cup final.
Fernandes helped United finish third and secure Champions League football.
In total, Fernandes amassed 31 league outings, scoring nine goals and contributing 22 assists, while Shaw contributed 21 goals in 22 appearances, securing her third consecutive WSL Golden Boot.
Shaw’s hat-tricks against Aston Villa and Tottenham, alongside her two goals against West Ham, solidified her status as the first player to achieve this in the WSL.
The PFA’s selection of Shaw’s three Golden Boots, alongside the other players, shows her consistent excellence and dominance within the WSL.
The Premier League team of the year, as voted by the players, was dominated by Arsenal and runners-up Man City.
Arsenal only conceded 27 goals last season, with that impressive record reflecting in the selections of goalkeeper Raya and defenders Gabriel, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber named alongside midfielder Rice.
Man City have four representatives – O’Reilly, Cherki, Haaland and Antoine Semenyo – with Man United’s Fernandes and team of the year debutant Igor Thiago (Brentford) completing the XI.
The WSL team features three players apiece from champions Man City, Chelsea, and Arsenal, with Man United’s Park and Tottenham defender Toko Koga the only players selected from outside the top three sides.
The PFA have also awarded a special award to the club of the year, with Arsenal and Man City sharing the top spots, reflecting their dominance in the Premier League.
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Source: BBC Football
