Liverpool wing wizard Mohamed Salah has been named the FWA Footballer of the Year for the third time, becoming just the second men’s player to win a trio of accolades.
The Egypt international has been bestowed with the prize after leading Arne Slot‘s men to the Premier League title with the greatest individual 38-game campaign the competition has ever seen.
Salah has amassed an astounding 46 direct goal contributions – 28 goals and 18 assists – and needs just one more to match Alan Shearer and Andy Cole‘s all-time record for any Premier League campaign.
Salah’s third FWA Footballer of the Year prize adds to his award wins from 2018 and 2022, and he has joined Thierry Henry as just the second men’s player to take home the trophy on three occasions.
The Arsenal legend won the honour in 2003, 2004 and 2006, and Salah won over a staggering 90% of the votes for the 2025 edition, in which teammate Virgil van Dijk finished second.
Salah storms to FWA award ahead of Van Dijk
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Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak placed third in the voting, while Arsenal’s Declan Rice was fourth, and another 15 unnamed players also received nominations from prominent sports journalists.
“Rarely has there been a more popular winner than Mo,” FWA chair John Cross told footballwriters.co.uk. “His overwhelming victory is just a reflection of an incredible season.
“He continues to re-write the record books and his performances this season have obviously been key to Liverpool’s 20th title. It’s been a privilege watching him this season and it will be a privilege to welcome him to our dinner to celebrate his success.”
Salah’s victory also extends Liverpool’s record of men’s FWA award wins as a club to 16, at least seven more than any other club; Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are joint-second with nine each.
Meanwhile, Arsenal Women‘s forward Alessia Russo took home the corresponding women’s prize, having had a direct hand in 22 goals in 30 appearances across the Women’s Super League and Champions League.
The England international has bagged 12 strikes in league action – level with Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw at the top of the charts – and seven in the Champions League as Arsenal prepare to face Barcelona in the final.
‘Russo has taken a huge leap since signing for Arsenal’
© Imago
“Alessia’s performances, especially in the Champions League have been the stand-out from the season,” Cross added. “She seems to have taken a huge leap since joining Arsenal and her overall game as well as her goals make her a special player.
“We’re delighted to be crowning her Women’s Footballer of the Year but hope that it’s not the last honour she receives this season with the Champions League Final at the end of the month.”
Man City’s Shaw came second in the vote, while Russo’s Arsenal teammate Mariona Caldentey and Chelsea defender Millie Bright placed third and fourth respectively.
Russo is just the third Arsenal player to win the women’s prize after Vivianne Miedema in 2020, and the third English player after Fran Kirby (twice) and Nikita Parris.
