The Athletic’s 2025‑26 Women’s Football Awards
The Athletic’s end‑of‑season awards for the 2025‑26 women’s football season have turned the spotlight on a campaign that combined historic milestones with emerging talent.
Manchester City finally broke a decade‑long wait to reclaim the Women’s Super League title, finishing the campaign with a points total that left rivals trailing and securing the joint‑top clean‑sheet tally through goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.
At the heart of that resurgence was Khadija Shaw, whose prolific scoring earned her a third WSL Player of the Season award and a third Golden Boot since 2023, underscoring her consistency at the top of the table.
The club also saw Aoba Fujino recognised as the WSL Young Player of the Season, a testament to her dynamic contributions in midfield and her rapid rise in the English game.
Andree Jeglertz, the head coach, was honoured as WSL Manager of the Season for the transformative impact he has had on the squad’s tactics, morale and overall performance.
European Honors
The European Women’s Player of the Season went to Melchie Dumornay, whose performances for her club and nation cemented her status among the game’s elite. Vicky Lopez captured the European Women’s Young Player award after a breakout year at Barcelona, while Jonatan Giraldez was named European Women’s Manager of the Season for guiding OL Lyonnes to the Champions League final.
Moments that captured imaginations included Cathinka Tandberg’s stunning long‑range strike from the halfway line for Tottenham Hotspur, a goal that will be replayed for weeks, and the surprise package Kirsty Hanson, who scored twelve WSL goals for Aston Villa.
These awards not only celebrate individual excellence but also reflect the growing competitiveness of women’s football across England and Europe, setting the stage for an even more ambitious next season.