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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year after an outstanding 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

The 31-year-old midfielder played a key role in United’s third-place finish, providing a league-record 21 assists and scoring nine goals. His performances also saw him become the second-fastest Manchester United player in the Premier League era to reach 200 goal involvements, achieving the milestone in 314 appearances, behind only Wayne Rooney’s 295.

Fernandes, who joined United in 2020, is the second Portuguese player to win the prestigious award after Cristiano Ronaldo claimed it in 2007 and 2008.

United manager Michael Carrick gave Fernandes greater freedom in attack, a role that allowed the captain to further influence matches with his creativity and vision.
“Bruno can just create moments. He’s bright. I think that little bit of freedom suits him,” Carrick said earlier in the season.
Fernandes has now recorded 110 goals and 106 assists for United. His award also means Manchester United players have won the men’s PFA Player of the Year prize 12 times, more than any other club in England and Wales.

In the women’s category, Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw was named PFA Women’s Player of the Year for the second time after finishing as the Women’s Super League’s top scorer with 21 goals.

Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly won the Men’s Young Player of the Year award after making 53 appearances and scoring nine goals in a breakthrough campaign. Arsenal striker Olivia Smith claimed the Women’s Young Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year.

The PFA Premier League Team of the Year included David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes, Nico O’Reilly, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, Bruno Fernandes, Declan Rice, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Igor Thiago.

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Italy’s national football federation (FIGC) said on Wednesday it has withdrawn its support for embattled FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his failed attempt to sell off stakes in the World Cup.

The move comes as a host of European national associations, including England, Ireland and Wales, already scrapped their backing of Infantino who is seeking re-election at next year’s FIFA Congress.

“This decision is intended to clearly and transparently express the FIGC’s position… regarding the recent initiatives promoted by the FIFA president concerning the governance and development of international competitions,” FIGC wrote in a statement.

Infantino has come under increasing pressure to step down as head of world football’s governing body over his now-abandoned plan to secure private investment in FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup.

UEFA, which oversees European football, has threatened a boycott of FIFA competitions.

“We will continue to work alongside UEFA and the other European federations to promote a vision of football based on merit, solidarity, sustainability and the central role of the fans,” said FIGC head Giovanni Malago.

“We identify with a model of dialogue, listening and shared responsibility which has, to date, enabled football to grow, innovate and, at the same time, defend its founding principles.”

Infantino, 56, a former UEFA secretary general, had the broad backing of European nations when he succeeded Sepp Blatter as FIFA president in 2016.

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Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt has taken a major step in his long-term relationship with Kasi Bennett after reportedly proposing to her following 13 years courtship.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist is said to have proposed to Bennett during celebrations surrounding his 40th birthday in Kingston, Jamaica, bringing a new chapter to their long-standing relationship.

According to reports, Bolt got down on one knee in front of family and friends before presenting Bennett with a diamond engagement ring.

The proposal reportedly came as a surprise to Bennett, who later shared moments from the special occasion on social media.

The engagement marks a significant moment for the couple, who have been together since 2013 and have built a family together over the years.

Bolt and Bennett welcomed their first child, daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt, in 2020.

They later became parents to twin boys, Thunder and Saint Leo, in 2021.

Although the couple have maintained a relatively private relationship over the years, their romance has attracted considerable public interest because of Bolt’s global status as one of the greatest sprinters in athletics history.

Their relationship became more visible around the period of the 2016 Rio Olympics, when Bolt was still dominating international sprinting and cementing his reputation as a sporting icon.

The Jamaican athlete retired from competitive athletics in 2017 after an extraordinary career that saw him win eight Olympic gold medals and set world records in the 100 metres and 200 metres.

Despite his retirement from professional athletics, Bolt has remained a prominent public figure through business ventures, entertainment appearances and his continued involvement in sports.

The proposal also comes after Bolt had previously spoken about his views on relationships and marriage. He has indicated that he wanted to take his time rather than rush into marriage, particularly because of the importance he places on building a lasting family relationship.

His decision to propose to Bennett after more than a decade together therefore represents a major milestone in their journey as a couple.

Bennett, who has established herself as a businesswoman and social media personality, has been a significant part of Bolt’s life away from the athletics track.

The couple’s three children have also featured in their family life, with Bolt occasionally sharing glimpses of their experiences with fans.

The reported proposal has since generated excitement among fans of the former sprinter, with many celebrating the development after the couple spent more than a decade together.

For Bolt and Bennett, the engagement represents the latest stage in a relationship that has evolved from a private romance into a family partnership.

After years of building a life together and raising three children, the couple are now preparing for another major milestone as they move towards marriage.

The proposal adds a personal highlight to Bolt’s 40th birthday celebrations and gives fans another reason to celebrate the Jamaican sporting legend beyond his achievements on the track.