Canada Soccer unveiled the finalists for the Players of the Year awards, narrowing down the original list of eight nominees to three men and three women. The women’s finalists include Vanessa Gilles from Bayern Munich, last year’s winner, Adriana Leon from San Diego, and Jayde Riviere from Manchester United. On the men’s side, the finalists are Ali Ahmed from Vancouver, Tajon Buchanan from Villarreal, and Jonathan David from Juventus.
The winners will be recognized as co-winners of the prestigious award. The nominees were selected by the national team coaching staffs, with the ultimate winners to be determined by a vote from Canadian sports media and coaches, with the announcement scheduled for Friday.
Additionally, the young player, Para, and futsal player of the year awards will be decided by coaches from their respective programs. The Allstate Good Hands Award, which acknowledges the top save by a Canadian national team goalkeeper in international matches, will be determined through a fan vote.
Over the past seven years, Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies have dominated the Player of the Year award, with Davies winning four times and David twice. Stephen Eustaquio claimed the award in 2023. Davies, who recently returned to action with Bayern Munich following a lengthy absence due to a knee injury, is not in the running this year. Similarly, women’s captain Jessie Fleming, a three-time winner from 2021 to 2023, is not nominated this year.
The past Canada Soccer Player of the Year winners include Jonathan David and Vanessa Gilles in 2024, Stephen Eustaquio and Jessie Fleming in 2023, Alphonso Davies and Jessie Fleming in 2022, and various other notable players in preceding years.