Salah makes history with third PFA Player of the Year award, Rogers named best young player

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been crowned the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Men’s Player of the Year, while Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers collected the Young Player of the Year award, Sport360NG reports.

Former England manager Gareth Southgate was also recognised, receiving the PFA Merit Award in honour of his impact on the national team.

Salah, 33, becomes the first player to claim the main PFA prize three times after leading Liverpool to the Premier League title last season. The Egyptian forward finished as the league’s top scorer with 29 goals and added 18 assists.

Reflecting on his journey, Salah said:

“Of course I wanted to be a football player and provide for my family, but when you are in Egypt you don’t think about the big things. As you grow, you start to see the bigger picture and your ambition grows.”

Salah had already swept the end-of-season honours, winning both the Premier League Player of the Season and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards. He beat competition from Alexis Mac Allister, Bruno Fernandes, Alexander Isak, Cole Palmer and Declan Rice for the PFA accolade.

Rogers joins Villa greats

Rogers becomes the fifth Villa player to land the Young Player award, following Andy Gray, Gary Shaw, Ashley Young and James Milner. He described the honour as motivation to emulate some of the game’s greats.

“Later down the line I want to be one of those incredible players people talk about. To do that, I need to follow the same path they did,” he told BBC Sport.

The 23-year-old played 54 times for Villa in 2024-25, scoring 14 goals as Unai Emery’s side finished sixth in the league and enjoyed strong cup runs. Signed from Middlesbrough for £15m in February 2024, Rogers also earned his first senior England call-up in November and has since won six caps.

Other nominees included Arsenal duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, as well as Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Liam Delap. Rogers is the seventh English winner of the award in as many years.

Awards across the leagues

Championship Player of the Year: Goalkeeper James Trafford, after keeping 29 clean sheets for Burnley before sealing a summer move to Manchester City.

League One Player of the Year: Richard Kone, now at QPR, following his 18-goal season with Wycombe.

League Two Player of the Year: Bromley striker Michael Cheek, Golden Boot winner with 25 goals.

Southgate honoured for England legacy

Southgate becomes the fifth former England boss to collect the Merit Award since its creation in 1974.

During his eight-year spell in charge (2016–2024), he guided the Three Lions to the Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 finals, as well as the World Cup semi-finals in 2018. He also gave 42 players their international debuts, more than any other England manager.

Southgate left his post earlier this summer after reaching 102 matches in charge, one of only three managers to surpass the century mark.

Liverpool and Arsenal dominate PFA Team of the Year

The Team of the Year was heavily shaped by Liverpool and Arsenal players, reflecting their battle for the title.

PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2025

Goalkeeper: Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)

Defenders: William Saliba (Arsenal), Gabriel (Arsenal), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth, now Liverpool)

Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Alexander Isak (Newcastle), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)