Did Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey Truly Earn PFA Women's Player of the Year?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mariona Caldentey named PFA Women’s Player of the Year.
- Impressive stats: nine goals in 21 WSL matches.
- Contributed to Champions League victory.
- Four Arsenal players selected for the PFA Team of the Year.
- Olivia Smith awarded Young Player of the Year.
Manchester, Aug 20 (NationPress) Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey has been awarded the PFA Women’s Player of the Year for the 2024/25 season at the Manchester Opera House, following an exceptional debut campaign in north London that garnered the admiration of her peers who cast their votes for her victory.
The talented midfielder surpassed teammate Alessia Russo, alongside Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City), and Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United).
Mariona becomes the third player from Arsenal to clinch this award, which is regarded as the pinnacle of individual recognition in the domestic league, following in the footsteps of Kim Little in 2011/12 and Vivianne Miedema in 2018/19.
During the last season, Mariona netted nine goals in 21 Women’s Super League matches and scored eight in 15 Women’s Champions League games as she helped lead the team to victory in the final held in Lisbon. This marked her third consecutive win in the Champions League final and her fourth overall.
She contributed an additional two goals and two assists in the Women’s League Cup, and replicated this performance for Spain at Euro 2025, aiding her nation in reaching the final.
In other news, Olivia Smith, who joined the Gunners from Liverpool this summer, was honored as the Young Player of the Year for her achievements last season.
In her inaugural season in England after transferring from Sporting Lisbon, she scored seven goals in 20 WSL matches as the Reds finished in seventh place.
Additionally, four Arsenal players have been selected for the 2024/25 PFA Women’s Team of the Year.
Mariona Caldentey, Emily Fox, Kim Little, and Alessia Russo were all featured in the WSL's top XI, thanks to votes from female players that determined the selections.
PFA Women's Team of the Year
Phallon Tullis-Joyce (Manchester United), Jayde Riviere (Manchester United), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Kim Little (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City)