A host of prominent figures from the English football landscape converged in Manchester for the annual Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Awards, held at the Opera House Theatre.
The ceremony saw representation from several top Premier League clubs. Arsenal, fresh from their title pursuit, had five players in attendance: David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, and Declan Rice. Manchester City was represented by Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, and Nico O'Reilly. O'Reilly, a 21-year-old City academy graduate, is considered a favorite for the PFA Young Player of the Year award after a breakout season that saw him named in England's World Cup squad.
Manchester United's contingent included head coach Michael Carrick and CEO Omar Berrada. Their presence follows the recent transfer of Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion. The club also anticipates a strong showing from captain Bruno Fernandes, who is a leading contender for the PFA Player of the Year award after setting a new Premier League single-season assist record with 21. Fernandes had previously received the Football Writers' Association's men's Footballer of the Year award and was named Premier League player of the season.
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and his wife Marina were also present. Arsenal was also recognized in the women's game, with Alessia Russo, Mariona Caldentey, Emily Fox, and Olivia Smith from Arsenal Women gracing the red carpet.
Former Lionesses Karen Carney, Eni Aluko, Jordan Nobbs, and Toni Duggan were among the attendees, as were former male players Mikael Silvestre, Sebastian Bassong, Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic, and Kolo Toure.
Mikael Silvestre, a former Manchester United and Arsenal defender, made headlines prior to the event by publicly calling for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to step down. Silvestre, a member of FIFA's Players' Voice Panel, expressed his discontent via X, stating, "Enough is enough!" His call for structural change within FIFA was amplified by World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit and Lioness Lucy Bronze.
Infantino is facing increased scrutiny, including calls to resign from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, following a controversial proposal to sell stakes in a company managing the World Cup to private investors. A widely shared statement from players indicated shared concerns about FIFA's current leadership and a perceived drift from the sport's core values. The statement highlighted a lack of player consultation on major decisions and a disregard for fan interests, asserting that "change is necessary" and that "power has blurred the current leadership's ability to distinguish between its own interests and what is best for football."