Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney have been named the recipients of the 2026 Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Merit Awards. The awards recognize their substantial contributions to the sport.
Dalglish, a celebrated figure for Liverpool and the Scotland national team, has a legacy that spans decades as both a player and manager. Carney, a former England international with 144 caps, has also been a prominent voice in women's football, both during her playing career and in her subsequent roles.
Carney's playing career saw her achieve significant success. She was part of the Arsenal team that secured a historic quadruple in the 2006-07 season, winning the league, FA Cup, League Cup, and the precursor to the Women's Champions League. After spells with Chicago Red Stars and returning to Birmingham City, where she scored a crucial FA Cup equalizer in extra time, she moved to Chelsea in late 2015. With Chelsea, she won the Women's Super League (WSL) and FA Cup double in 2017-18 and later captained the club before retiring in 2019. On the international stage, Carney represented England, scoring 32 goals in 144 appearances and contributing to the team's third-place finish at the 2015 Women's World Cup. She participated in eight major tournaments for England and represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.
Since retiring from playing, Carney has transitioned into broadcasting and analysis. She also chaired an independent review for the UK Government on the future of domestic women's football, the findings of which were published in 2023.
The PFA Merit Award celebrates individuals who have made an exceptional impact on football, acknowledging their dedication, achievements, and influence within the game.