The Football Writers’ Association has officially named Bruno Fernandes as the Men’s Footballer of the Year and Khadija Shaw as the Women’s Footballer of the Year after two remarkable campaigns in English football during the 2025–26 season.
The annual award, regarded as one of the most prestigious individual honors in football, is voted on by more than 900 members of the Football Writers’ Association. Established in 1947, the accolade recognizes the players who have made the greatest impact throughout the season both statistically and through their influence on their respective teams.
Fernandes secured 45 percent of the overall vote, finishing ahead of Declan Rice and Erling Haaland. In doing so, the Portuguese international became the first player from Manchester United to win the award since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
Meanwhile, Shaw claimed the women’s award for the second time in three years following another outstanding season with Manchester City Women.
Bruno Fernandes Rewarded for Outstanding Leadership and Creativity
Bruno Fernandes
Although Manchester United experienced periods of inconsistency throughout the campaign, Fernandes consistently stood out as the team’s most influential player. The midfielder delivered an elite level of creativity in the Premier League, recording 19 assists — just one shy of equaling the competition’s single-season record.
Beyond his statistical contributions, Fernandes was widely praised for his leadership qualities during a challenging season for United. The club endured managerial changes, injuries, and significant pressure in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification, yet Fernandes remained the central figure in the squad’s recovery and resurgence.
His ability to dictate matches, create scoring opportunities, and deliver consistently in high-pressure situations played a major role in United securing a return to Europe’s elite competition. Many observers also noted that Fernandes carried a significant creative burden within the squad, frequently producing decisive moments when the team struggled collectively.
The recognition from the Football Writers’ Association reflects not only his numbers but also his overall importance to Manchester United across the entire season.
Debate Surrounds Declan Rice’s Omission
Despite Bruno Fernandes’ impressive campaign, the voting outcome has generated considerable discussion among supporters, analysts, and former players, with many believing Declan Rice had equally strong credentials for the award.
Rice has been instrumental in Arsenal’s success this season, helping the club compete for the Premier League title while also guiding the team deep into the UEFA Champions League and domestic cup competitions.
The England international has demonstrated exceptional consistency, durability, and tactical versatility throughout the campaign. He has played more than 4,000 minutes in all competitions and missed only one league fixture, regularly operating in multiple midfield roles and occasionally filling defensive positions when required.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta publicly praised Rice’s mentality and willingness to adapt for the benefit of the team, describing him as one of the squad’s most reliable and selfless performers.
Supporters of Rice argue that individual awards should heavily consider team success and influence in major competitions. Arsenal remained active in multiple trophy races for most of the season, whereas Manchester United were not viewed as genuine title contenders.
However, others defended the decision to award Fernandes, emphasizing that his performances came within a less dominant side and under more difficult circumstances. Many voters reportedly viewed him as the single most important player to his team in the league this season.
Another contributing factor may have been Arsenal’s balanced squad performances. Players such as Bukayo Saka, David Raya, and Gabriel Magalhães also received votes, potentially splitting support among Arsenal representatives.
Khadija Shaw Continues Her Dominance in Women’s Football
Bruno Fernandes
In the women’s category, Khadija Shaw once again underlined her status as one of the world’s elite forwards after leading Manchester City Women to their first Women’s Super League title in ten years.
Khadija Shaw scored 19 goals in 21 league appearances, finishing as the division’s top scorer and consistently delivering match-winning performances throughout the campaign. Her combination of physical strength, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing made her one of the most feared attackers in the league.
The Jamaican international finished ahead of Alessia Russo and Lauren James in the final voting results.
Winning the award for the second time further strengthens Khadija Shaw’s reputation as one of the defining players of modern women’s football. Her success also represents a major achievement for Caribbean football on the global stage, inspiring a new generation of players from the region.
One of Football’s Most Prestigious Individual Honors
The FWA award remains one of the most respected recognitions in world football due to its long history and the voting process conducted by journalists who closely follow the game throughout the season.
This year’s selections may continue to spark debate, particularly regarding the comparison between Fernandes and Rice, but there is little disagreement over the quality both players displayed across the campaign.
For Fernandes, the award represents recognition of his extraordinary influence at Manchester United during a demanding season. For Shaw, it is another milestone in an already exceptional career that continues to elevate women’s football internationally.
Conclusion
The 2025–26 FWA awards highlighted two players who consistently delivered excellence throughout the season. Bruno Fernandes earned recognition for his leadership, creativity, and ability to inspire Manchester United during a challenging campaign, while Khadija Shaw once again proved herself as one of the most dominant forwards in women’s football by guiding Manchester City Women to league glory.
Although debate continues regarding whether Declan Rice deserved the men’s award, the final results reflect the impact both Fernandes and Shaw had on their teams across the season. Their achievements not only underline their individual brilliance but also reinforce their importance among the elite players in English football today.
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