September 26- Qatar’s mercurial Akram Afif could become the first person to win the AFC Player of the Year Award three times, adding to his wins in 2019 and 2023.
Afif is up against Saudi Arabian striker Salem Al Dawsari, and Arif Aiman, the first Malaysian ever to be nominated for the award.
In the women’s player of the year category Australian Holly McNamara is nominated after a year out through injury. She is up against Chinese veteran Wang Shuang and Japanese centre back Hana Takahashi.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have unveiled the full list of nominees for the AFC Awards Riyadh 2025 presented by NEOM, which will take place on October 16 at the magnificent King Fahd Cultural Center. The night will see 20 awards presented.
In the men’s Player of the Year category, Afif has again been outstanding helping Al Sadd SC lift a record 18th league crown and reach the last eight of the AFC Champions League Elite. The 28-year-old has been a standout in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26, securing Qatar’s place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 while staying in the hunt for World Cup qualification.
Al Dawsari, 34, is chasing a second title to add to his 2022 win. The Al Hilal striker led the way to the Semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite with a tournament-best 10 goals. Al Hilal also reached the last eight of the Club World Cup 2025. Internationally he is a component of Saudi Arabia’s chase for World Cup qualification.
Arif Aiman is blazing a new trail for Malaysian football. He scored five times for his club side, Johor Darul Ta’zim, as they reached the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite, while also winning the domestic treble. He is alos is a key figure in Malaysia’s push to reach the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
In the women’s Player of the Year category Holly McNamara stands out with 15 goals in 17 regular season appearances for Melbourne City as they won their fourth A-League Women Premiership crown. She also scored once in the Women’s Champions League as they reached the Final. Returning to the Australian team, she scored her first international goal in June 2025.
Wuhan Jiangda Women’s Wang Shuang was central to Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC’s historic triumph in the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League, scoring a late penalty in the Final to equalise before triumphing in the shootout. Capped 130 times for China, she won the award in 2018 and remains one of Asia’s most influential playmakers.
Hana Takahashi helped Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies win a second domestic cup title and finish third in the league, on top of a run to the Quarter-finals of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2024/25. At 25, she has established herself for Japan, featuring in their successful 2024 Olympic Games qualification and subsequently in every match in Paris as they reached the last eight.
The full list of nominees for the AFC Awards Riyadh 2025 presented by NEOM is:
AFC Player of the Year
Arif Aiman Hanapi (Johor Darul Ta’zim FC and MAS)
Akram Afif (Al Sadd SC and QAT)
Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal SFC and KSA)
AFC Women’s Player of the Year
Holly McNamara (Melbourne City FC and AUS)
Wang Shuang (Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC and CHN)
Hana Takahashi (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies and JPN)
AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Men)
Mehdi Taremi (Internazionale/Olympiacos and IRN)
Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad and JPN)
Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain and KOR)
AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Women)
Stephanie Catley (Arsenal FC and AUS)
Maika Hamano (Chelsea FC and JPN)
Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City and JPN)
AFC Futsal Player of the Year
Moslem Oladghobad (Gohar Zamin and IRN)
Salar Aghapour (Gohar Zamin and IRN)
Muhammad Osamanmusa (Jimbee Cartagena and THA)
AFC Coach of the Year (Men)
Trevor Morgan (Australia U20 and AUS)
Ri Song Ho (DPR Korea U20 Women and PRK)
Song Sung Gwon (DPR Korea U17 Women and PRK)
AFC Coach of the Year (Women)
Lu Kuei-Hua (Taichung Blue Whale Women’s FC and TPE)
Marziyeh Jafari (Bam Khatoon Women’s FC and IRN)
Neungrutai Srathongvian (BG Asian Scholars College and THA)
AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men)
Alex Badolato (Melbourne Victory and AUS)
Hamed Yousef (Al Ittihad and KSA)
Sadriddin Khasanov (FC Bunyodkor and UZB)
AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women)
Choe Il Son (4.25 SC and PRK)
Jon Il Chong (Amnokgang SC and PRK)
Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage and JPN)
AFC Member Association of the Year (Platinum)
Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran
Japan Football Association
Saudi Arabian Football Federation
AFC Member Association of the Year (Diamond)
Chinese Football Association
The Football Association of Thailand
Vietnam Football Federation
AFC Member Association of the Year (Gold)
The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited
AFC Member Association of the Year (Ruby)
Bangladesh Football Federation
Guam Football Association
Lao Football Federation
AFC Regional Association of the Year
ASEAN Football Federation
East Asian Football Federation
South Asian Football Federation
AFC President’s Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football (Gold)
Chinese Football Association
Saudi Arabian Football Federation
United Arab Emirates Football Association
AFC President’s Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football (Silver)
Guam Football Association
All India Football Federation
Football Association of Malaysia
AFC President’s Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football (Bronze)
Bangladesh Football Federation
Northern Mariana Islands Football Association
Vietnam Football Federation
AFC Referees Special Award
Alireza Faghani (AUS)
Anton Shchetinin (AUS)
Ashley Beecham (AUS)
Note: all three to receive award
AFC Diamond of Asia Award and AFC President’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement
Note: Recipients to be announced during ceremony
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