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PFA Players' Player of the Year

Updated: Wikipedia source

PFA Players' Player of the Year

The Professional Footballers' Association Men's Players' Player of the Year (often called the PFA Men's Players' Player of the Year, the Players' Player of the Year, or simply the Player of the Year) is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the year in English football. The award has been presented since the 1973–74 season and the winner is chosen by a vote amongst the members of the players' trade union, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA). The current holder is Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, who is also the first player to have won the award three times. The first winner of the award was Leeds United defender Norman Hunter. As of 2025, only Mohamed Salah has won the award on three occasions, and only Henry, Ronaldo and De Bruyne have won the award in consecutive seasons. Of the seven, only Shearer won his two awards playing for different teams. Although there is a separate PFA Young Player of the Year award, young players remain eligible to win the senior award, and on three occasions the same player has won both awards for a season, Andy Gray in 1976–77, Ronaldo in 2006–07 and Bale in 2012–13. Only three non-European players have won the award: Luis Suárez (Uruguay) in 2013–14, Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) in 2015–16, and Mohamed Salah (Egypt) in 2017–18, 2021–22 and 2024–25. Every spring, each member of the association votes for two players. A shortlist of nominees is published in April and the winner of the award, along with the winners of the PFA's other annual awards, is announced at a gala event in London. The award is regarded by the players themselves as extremely prestigious, with Teddy Sheringham describing it in 2001 as "the biggest personal award you can get in the game", and John Terry stating in 2005 that he considered it "the ultimate accolade to be voted for by your fellow professionals whom you play against week-in and week-out".

Infobox

Sport
Association football
Competition
All levels of English football
Country
England and Wales
Presented by
PFA
First award
1973–74
Editions
52
First winner
Norman Hunter
Most wins
Mohamed Salah (3)
Most recent
Mohamed Salah (2025)
Website
Official website

Tables

Winners of the PFA Players' of the Year · Winners
1973–74
1973–74
Year
1973–74
Col 2
Player
Norman Hunter
Club
Leeds United
1974–75
1974–75
Year
1974–75
Col 2
Player
Colin Todd
Club
Derby County
1975–76
1975–76
Year
1975–76
Col 2
Player
Pat Jennings
Club
Tottenham Hotspur
1976–77
1976–77
Year
1976–77
Col 2
Player
Andy Gray
Club
Aston Villa
Also won
YPY
1977–78
1977–78
Year
1977–78
Col 2
Player
Peter Shilton
Club
Nottingham Forest
1978–79
1978–79
Year
1978–79
Col 2
Player
Liam Brady
Club
Arsenal
1979–80
1979–80
Year
1979–80
Col 2
Player
Terry McDermott
Club
Liverpool
Also won
FWA
1980–81
1980–81
Year
1980–81
Col 2
Player
John Wark
Club
Ipswich Town
1981–82
1981–82
Year
1981–82
Col 2
Player
Kevin Keegan
Club
Southampton
1982–83
1982–83
Year
1982–83
Col 2
Player
Kenny Dalglish
Club
Liverpool
Also won
FWA
1983–84
1983–84
Year
1983–84
Col 2
Player
Ian Rush
Club
Liverpool
Also won
FWA
1984–85
1984–85
Year
1984–85
Col 2
Player
Peter Reid
Club
Everton
1985–86
1985–86
Year
1985–86
Col 2
Player
Gary Lineker
Club
Everton
Also won
FWA
1986–87
1986–87
Year
1986–87
Col 2
Player
Clive Allen
Club
Tottenham Hotspur
Also won
FWA
1987–88
1987–88
Year
1987–88
Col 2
Player
John Barnes
Club
Liverpool
Also won
FWA
1988–89
1988–89
Year
1988–89
Col 2
Player
Mark Hughes
Club
Manchester United
1989–90
1989–90
Year
1989–90
Col 2
Player
David Platt
Club
Aston Villa
1990–91
1990–91
Year
1990–91
Col 2
Player
Mark Hughes (2)
Club
Manchester United
1991–92
1991–92
Year
1991–92
Col 2
Player
Gary Pallister
Club
Manchester United
1992–93
1992–93
Year
1992–93
Col 2
Player
Paul McGrath
Club
Aston Villa
1993–94
1993–94
Year
1993–94
Col 2
Player
Eric Cantona
Club
Manchester United
1994–95
1994–95
Year
1994–95
Col 2
Player
Alan Shearer
Club
Blackburn Rovers
Also won
PPS
1995–96
1995–96
Year
1995–96
Col 2
Player
Les Ferdinand
Club
Newcastle United
1996–97
1996–97
Year
1996–97
Col 2
Player
Alan Shearer (2)
Club
Newcastle United
1997–98
1997–98
Year
1997–98
Col 2
Player
Dennis Bergkamp
Club
Arsenal
Also won
FWA
1998–99
1998–99
Year
1998–99
Col 2
Player
David Ginola
Club
Tottenham Hotspur
Also won
FWA
1999–2000
1999–2000
Year
1999–2000
Col 2
Player
Roy Keane
Club
Manchester United
Also won
FWA
2000–01
2000–01
Year
2000–01
Col 2
Player
Teddy Sheringham
Club
Manchester United
Also won
FWA
2001–02
2001–02
Year
2001–02
Col 2
Player
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Club
Manchester United
Also won
FPY
2002–03
2002–03
Year
2002–03
Col 2
Player
Thierry Henry
Club
Arsenal
Also won
FWA, FPY
2003–04
2003–04
Year
2003–04
Col 2
Player
Thierry Henry (2)
Club
Arsenal
Also won
FWA, FPY, PPS
2004–05
2004–05
Year
2004–05
Col 2
Player
John Terry
Club
Chelsea
2005–06
2005–06
Year
2005–06
Col 2
Player
Steven Gerrard
Club
Liverpool
2006–07
2006–07
Year
2006–07
Col 2
Player
Cristiano Ronaldo
Club
Manchester United
Also won
FWA, FPY, YPY, PPS
2007–08
2007–08
Year
2007–08
Col 2
Player
Cristiano Ronaldo (2)
Club
Manchester United
Also won
FWA, FPY, PPS
2008–09
2008–09
Year
2008–09
Col 2
Player
Ryan Giggs
Club
Manchester United
2009–10
2009–10
Year
2009–10
Col 2
Player
Wayne Rooney
Club
Manchester United
Also won
FWA, FPY, PPS
2010–11
2010–11
Year
2010–11
Col 2
Player
Gareth Bale
Club
Tottenham Hotspur
2011–12
2011–12
Year
2011–12
Col 2
Player
Robin van Persie
Club
Arsenal
Also won
FWA, FPY
2012–13
2012–13
Year
2012–13
Col 2
Player
Gareth Bale (2)
Club
Tottenham Hotspur
Also won
FWA, YPY, PPS
2013–14
2013–14
Year
2013–14
Col 2
Player
Luis Suárez
Club
Liverpool
Also won
FWA, FPY, PPS, FSF
2014–15
2014–15
Year
2014–15
Col 2
Player
Eden Hazard
Club
Chelsea
Also won
FWA, PPS
2015–16
2015–16
Year
2015–16
Col 2
Player
Riyad Mahrez
Club
Leicester City
Also won
FPY
2016–17
2016–17
Year
2016–17
Col 2
Player
N'Golo Kanté
Club
Chelsea
Also won
FWA, PPS
2017–18
2017–18
Year
2017–18
Col 2
Player
Mohamed Salah
Club
Liverpool
Also won
FWA, FPY, PPS, FSF
2018–19
2018–19
Year
2018–19
Col 2
Player
Virgil van Dijk
Club
Liverpool
Also won
PPS, FSF
2019–20
2019–20
Year
2019–20
Col 2
Player
Kevin De Bruyne
Club
Manchester City
Also won
PPS
2020–21
2020–21
Year
2020–21
Col 2
Player
Kevin De Bruyne (2)
Club
Manchester City
2021–22
2021–22
Year
2021–22
Col 2
Player
Mohamed Salah (2)
Club
Liverpool
Also won
FWA, FPY
2022–23
2022–23
Year
2022–23
Col 2
Player
Erling Haaland
Club
Manchester City
Also won
FWA, FPY, PPS, PYS
2023–24
2023–24
Year
2023–24
Col 2
Player
Phil Foden
Club
Manchester City
Also won
FWA, PPS
2024–25
2024–25
Year
2024–25
Col 2
Player
Mohamed Salah (3)
Club
Liverpool
Also won
FWA, FPY, PPS
Year
Player
Club
Also won
Notes
1973–74
Norman Hunter
Leeds United
1974–75
Colin Todd
Derby County
1975–76
Pat Jennings
Tottenham Hotspur
1976–77
Andy Gray
Aston Villa
YPY
1977–78
Peter Shilton
Nottingham Forest
1978–79
Liam Brady
Arsenal
1979–80
Terry McDermott
Liverpool
FWA
1980–81
John Wark
Ipswich Town
1981–82
Kevin Keegan
Southampton
1982–83
Kenny Dalglish
Liverpool
FWA
1983–84
Ian Rush
Liverpool
FWA
1984–85
Peter Reid
Everton
1985–86
Gary Lineker
Everton
FWA
1986–87
Clive Allen
Tottenham Hotspur
FWA
1987–88
John Barnes
Liverpool
FWA
1988–89
Mark Hughes
Manchester United
1989–90
David Platt
Aston Villa
1990–91
Mark Hughes (2)
Manchester United
1991–92
Gary Pallister
Manchester United
1992–93
Paul McGrath
Aston Villa
1993–94
Eric Cantona
Manchester United
1994–95
Alan Shearer
Blackburn Rovers
PPS
1995–96
Les Ferdinand
Newcastle United
1996–97
Alan Shearer (2)
Newcastle United
1997–98
Dennis Bergkamp
Arsenal
FWA
1998–99
David Ginola
Tottenham Hotspur
FWA
1999–2000
Roy Keane
Manchester United
FWA
2000–01
Teddy Sheringham
Manchester United
FWA
2001–02
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Manchester United
FPY
2002–03
Thierry Henry
Arsenal
FWA, FPY
2003–04
Thierry Henry (2)
Arsenal
FWA, FPY, PPS
2004–05
John Terry
Chelsea
2005–06
Steven Gerrard
Liverpool
2006–07
Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United
FWA, FPY, YPY, PPS
2007–08
Cristiano Ronaldo (2)
Manchester United
FWA, FPY, PPS
2008–09
Ryan Giggs
Manchester United
2009–10
Wayne Rooney
Manchester United
FWA, FPY, PPS
2010–11
Gareth Bale
Tottenham Hotspur
2011–12
Robin van Persie
Arsenal
FWA, FPY
2012–13
Gareth Bale (2)
Tottenham Hotspur
FWA, YPY, PPS
2013–14
Luis Suárez
Liverpool
FWA, FPY, PPS, FSF
2014–15
Eden Hazard
Chelsea
FWA, PPS
2015–16
Riyad Mahrez
Leicester City
FPY
2016–17
N'Golo Kanté
Chelsea
FWA, PPS
2017–18
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool
FWA, FPY, PPS, FSF
2018–19
Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool
PPS, FSF
2019–20
Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City
PPS
2020–21
Kevin De Bruyne (2)
Manchester City
2021–22
Mohamed Salah (2)
Liverpool
FWA, FPY
Winners of the PFA Players' Player of the Year by country · Breakdown of winners › By country
England
England
Country
England
Number of wins
19
Winning years
1973–74, 1974–75, 1977–78, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2023–24
Wales
Wales
Country
Wales
Number of wins
6
Winning years
1983–84, 1988–89, 1990–91, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
France
France
Country
France
Number of wins
5
Winning years
1993–94, 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2016–17
Netherlands
Netherlands
Country
Netherlands
Number of wins
4
Winning years
1997–98, 2001–02, 2011–12, 2018–19
Scotland
Scotland
Country
Scotland
Number of wins
3
Winning years
1976–77, 1980–81, 1982–83
Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Country
Republic of Ireland
Number of wins
3
Winning years
1978–79, 1992–93, 1999–2000
Egypt
Egypt
Country
Egypt
Number of wins
3
Winning years
2017–18, 2021–22, 2024–25
Belgium
Belgium
Country
Belgium
Number of wins
3
Winning years
2014–15, 2019–20, 2020–21
Portugal
Portugal
Country
Portugal
Number of wins
2
Winning years
2006–07, 2007–08
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Number of wins
1
Winning years
1975–76
Uruguay
Uruguay
Country
Uruguay
Number of wins
1
Winning years
2013–14
Algeria
Algeria
Country
Algeria
Number of wins
1
Winning years
2015–16
Norway
Norway
Country
Norway
Number of wins
1
Winning years
2022–23
Country
Number of wins
Winning years
England
19
1973–74, 1974–75, 1977–78, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2009–10, 2023–24
Wales
6
1983–84, 1988–89, 1990–91, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
France
5
1993–94, 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2016–17
Netherlands
4
1997–98, 2001–02, 2011–12, 2018–19
Scotland
3
1976–77, 1980–81, 1982–83
Republic of Ireland
3
1978–79, 1992–93, 1999–2000
Egypt
3
2017–18, 2021–22, 2024–25
Belgium
3
2014–15, 2019–20, 2020–21
Portugal
2
2006–07, 2007–08
Northern Ireland
1
1975–76
Uruguay
1
2013–14
Algeria
1
2015–16
Norway
1
2022–23
Winners of the PFA Players' Player of the Year by club · Breakdown of winners › By club
Manchester United
Manchester United
Club
Manchester United
Number of wins
11
Winning years
1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
Liverpool
Liverpool
Club
Liverpool
Number of wins
10
Winning years
1979–80, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1987–88, 2005–06, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2024–25
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur
Club
Tottenham Hotspur
Number of wins
5
Winning years
1975–76, 1986–87, 1998–99, 2010–11, 2012–13
Arsenal
Arsenal
Club
Arsenal
Number of wins
5
Winning years
1978–79, 1997–98, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12
Manchester City
Manchester City
Club
Manchester City
Number of wins
4
Winning years
2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24
Chelsea
Chelsea
Club
Chelsea
Number of wins
3
Winning years
2004–05, 2014–15, 2016–17
Aston Villa
Aston Villa
Club
Aston Villa
Number of wins
3
Winning years
1976–77, 1989–90, 1992–93
Everton
Everton
Club
Everton
Number of wins
2
Winning years
1984–85, 1985–86
Newcastle United
Newcastle United
Club
Newcastle United
Number of wins
2
Winning years
1995–96, 1996–97
Leeds United
Leeds United
Club
Leeds United
Number of wins
1
Winning years
1973–74
Derby County
Derby County
Club
Derby County
Number of wins
1
Winning years
1974–75
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest
Club
Nottingham Forest
Number of wins
1
Winning years
1977–78
Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town
Club
Ipswich Town
Number of wins
1
Winning years
1980–81
Southampton
Southampton
Club
Southampton
Number of wins
1
Winning years
1981–82
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers
Club
Blackburn Rovers
Number of wins
1
Winning years
1994–95
Leicester City
Leicester City
Club
Leicester City
Number of wins
1
Winning years
2015–16
Club
Number of wins
Winning years
Manchester United
11
1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10
Liverpool
10
1979–80, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1987–88, 2005–06, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2024–25
Tottenham Hotspur
5
1975–76, 1986–87, 1998–99, 2010–11, 2012–13
Arsenal
5
1978–79, 1997–98, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2011–12
Manchester City
4
2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24
Chelsea
3
2004–05, 2014–15, 2016–17
Aston Villa
3
1976–77, 1989–90, 1992–93
Everton
2
1984–85, 1985–86
Newcastle United
2
1995–96, 1996–97
Leeds United
1
1973–74
Derby County
1
1974–75
Nottingham Forest
1
1977–78
Ipswich Town
1
1980–81
Southampton
1
1981–82
Blackburn Rovers
1
1994–95
Leicester City
1
2015–16

References

  1. "England Player Honours – Professional Footballers' Association Players' Players of the Year"
    http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamHons/HonsPFAPlyr.html
  2. The Daily Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/06/29/pfa-remain-confident-annual-player-year-awards-will-go-ahead/
  3. "Players' Player of the Year | Mohamed Salah"
    https://www.thepfa.com/news/2025/8/19/mo-salah-ppoty-2025
  4. "Gerrard named player of the year"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4935884.stm
  5. The Times
    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article1660489.ece
  6. "Sheringham wins second award"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1303164.stm
  7. "Terry claims player of year award"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4478329.stm
  8. "Only here for the peers"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1287470.stm
  9. "Gerrard named player of the year"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4935884.stm
  10. "Ronaldo secures PFA awards double"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm
  11. "Rooney is PFA player of the year"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8643305.stm
  12. SportsAdda
    https://www.sportsadda.com/football/features/pfa-players-player-of-the-year-winners-list
  13. RSSSF
    https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/engpoy.html
  14. "PFA's Official Fan's Player of the Year: Previous Winners"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080220145853/http://www.givemefootball.com/rolls_of_honour/fansplayerofyearroll.html
  15. "Too much too young?"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1287799.stm
  16. "Player of the Season"
    https://www.premierleague.com/history/awards?se=-1&aw=20
  17. "The FSF Awards in association with William Hill (Monday 16th Dec)"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150722082653/http://fsf.org.uk/latest-news/view/the-fsf-awards-in-association-with-william-hill-monday-16th-december
  18. First non–English winner, also first player to win both the PFA and FWA awards, having won the FWA award in 1973.
  19. First player to win two awards in a single season.
  20. First winner from outside the United Kingdom.
  21. First player to win both PFA and FWA awards in the same season.
  22. First player to win the award twice.
  23. First winner of the award from outside the British Isles.
  24. First player to win the award with two clubs.
  25. First player to win three awards in a single season.
  26. First player to win the award in two consecutive seasons.
  27. First player to win four awards in a single season.
  28. "Ronaldo named player of the year"
    https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7370319.stm
  29. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/apr/26/premierleague-manchester-united
  30. "Spurs' Gareth Bale wins PFA player of the year award"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13110874
  31. "Arsenal striker Robin van Persie named PFA Player of the Year"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13110874
  32. "Gareth Bale wins PFA Player of Year and Young Player awards"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22331030
  33. First South American and non-European player to win the award.
  34. Goal.com
    http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2015/04/26/11172952/chelseas-eden-hazard-named-pfa-player-of-the-year?ICID=HP_BN_1
  35. "Riyad Mahrez: Leicester City forward named PFA Player of the Year"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36124713
  36. "Chelsea Midfielder N'Golo Kanté named PFA player of the year"
    https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-midfielder-ngolo-kante-named-pfa-player-of-the-year-a3521606.html
  37. "Mohamed Salah: Liverpool forward voted PFA Player of the Year 2017-18"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43860354
  38. "Virgil van Dijk and Vivianne Miedema win PFA Player of the Year awards"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48065752
  39. "PFA Player of the Year: Kevin de Bruyne and Beth England named 2020 winners"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54044861
  40. "PFA Player of the Year: Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne wins second award"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57376601
  41. "Mohamed Salah and Sam Kerr win PFA player of year awards"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61736732
  42. "Man City's Haaland wins PFA Player of the Year"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66650723
  43. "Phil Foden Named PFA Players' Player of the Year"
    https://www.thepfa.com/news/2024/8/20/pfa-awards-players-player-phil-foden
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