The Football Writers Association (FWA) has announced its 2026 Footballer of the Year awards, with Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes taking the men's honor and Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw claiming the women's prize. Fernandes secured 45% of the votes, making him the first Portuguese player to win the award and the first Manchester United player since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
Fernandes edged out Arsenal's Declan Rice by 28 votes, with Manchester City's Erling Haaland finishing third. The Portuguese playmaker has enjoyed an outstanding individual season, recording 8 goals and 19 assists in 32 Premier League appearances. With three matches remaining, he is just one assist shy of equaling the Premier League single-season record of 20, jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Fernandes arrived at Old Trafford in January 2020 and has since become a pivotal figure for the Red Devils. His creativity and leadership have been instrumental in United's campaign, and this award recognizes his consistent excellence. Since his debut, he has been one of the league's most prolific creators, and this season has been no exception.
On the women's side, Khadija Shaw was named the FWA Women's Footballer of the Year. The Jamaican striker has been a standout performer for Manchester City, leading the Women's Super League in scoring and helping her team challenge for honors. While specific vote tallies were not released for the women's category, Shaw's impact on the pitch was undeniable throughout the season.
The FWA awards are voted on by football journalists across England, making them a prestigious recognition of a player's influence and performance over the campaign. For Fernandes, the honor underscores his rise to prominence in English football, while Shaw's award highlights her growing stature in the women's game.
Fernandes expressed his gratitude in a statement, noting the significance of being recognized by the media. "It's a huge honor to receive this award, especially knowing it comes from the journalists who watch every match. I'm proud to be mentioned alongside legends like Wayne Rooney and to represent Manchester United on this stage," he said.
The awards ceremony is set to take place later this month, where both players will be formally honored. With Fernandes nearing the assist record and Shaw continuing her prolific scoring, both players have plenty to celebrate as the season enters its final stages.
Based on reporting from Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu.