Liverpool\'s Mohamed Salah secured his third Professional Footballers\' Association men\'s player of the year award, becoming the first player to achieve this milestone. Arsenal\'s Mariona Caldentey won the women\'s equivalent after helping the Gunners end their 18-year European drought.
The ceremony took place Tuesday night in Manchester, recognizing the standout performers from last season. Salah\'s historic achievement came after scoring 29 Premier League goals and creating 18 assists as Liverpool claimed the title.
The 33-year-old Egypt forward expressed his pride at the achievement, noting his journey from his home country to English football\'s pinnacle.
\"I look at myself now, a guy coming from Egypt and making it to the top level, making history today, it\'s something that makes me so proud,\" Salah said.
Arsenal Dominates Women\'s Categories
Caldentey made an immediate impact in her debut Arsenal season, scoring 19 goals across all competitions. The Spain forward played a crucial role in Arsenal\'s Champions League triumph, defeating her former club Barcelona in the Lisbon final.
The 27-year-old becomes Arsenal\'s third PFA women\'s award winner, joining Kim Little (2013) and Vivianne Miedema (2019). Caldentey also starred for Spain at Euro 2025 in Switzerland, scoring in the final before England won on penalties.
\"Everyone at the club has made it so easy for me and they helped me from the start and it just feels like home and I\'m happy to be here,\" Caldentey said.
Arsenal\'s success continued with Olivia Smith claiming the women\'s young player award. The 21-year-old Canada forward became women\'s football\'s most expensive signing at $1.2 million when she joined from Liverpool last month. Aston Villa\'s Morgan Rogers won the men\'s equivalent after scoring 14 goals in 54 appearances.
Championship Goalkeeper Breaks Historic Ground
James Trafford became the first goalkeeper to win the Championship player of the year award. The Burnley shot-stopper recorded 29 clean sheets and conceded just 16 league goals during the club\'s promotion campaign, setting Football League records for both categories.