The Athletic FC Podcast: 2024/25 Season Awards Summary
Release Date: May 23, 2025
Introduction
In the latest episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, host Duncan Alexander and panelists Megan Farringer, Jacob Whitehead, and Ryan Reynolds delve into the highlights and outstanding performances of the 2024/25 football season. The episode meticulously covers awards across the Premier League, Women's Super League (WSL), and European competitions, providing insightful analysis and engaging discussions. Notably, the episode features key moments and quotes from the panelists, enriching the conversation with their expert opinions.
Premier League Awards
1. Player of the Year: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) [08:58]
Mohamed Salah clinched the Premier League Player of the Year award, recognized for his extraordinary season.
Jacob Whitehead [09:02]: "Mohamed Salah set a new record with 46 combined goals and assists in a 38-game season, surpassing Thierry Henry and Erling Haaland's achievements."
Salah's consistency and ability to perform under contract renewal distractions were pivotal.
Ryan Reynolds [10:15]: "Salah maintained his performance despite the off-field distractions, showcasing both professional resilience and extraordinary skill."
Runners-Up: Alexander Isak (Newcastle), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
Isak and Wood were acknowledged for their significant contributions, with Whitehead highlighting Isak's versatility and Wood's unexpected rise.
2. Young Player of the Year: Morgan Rodgers (Aston Villa) [15:35]
Morgan Rodgers emerged as the Young Player of the Year, lauded for his dynamic play and pivotal role in Aston Villa's strong season.
Jacob Whitehead [15:35]: "Rodgers became Villa's clutch player, scoring twice in the first five minutes of a game—the first in Champions League history."
Megan Farringer emphasized Rodgers' technical prowess and leadership within the team.
3. Manager of the Year: Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest) [22:56]
Nuno Espirito Santo was honored as the Manager of the Year for transforming Nottingham Forest from relegation contenders to European competition hopefuls.
Jacob Whitehead [22:56]: "Under Nuno, Forest's defense became one of the strongest in the league, securing top placements and building a solid foundation for future success."
Ryan Reynolds praised Nuno's tactical flexibility and his ability to instill a strong team mentality.
4. Team of the Season [27:52]
The Premier League Team of the Season featured:
- Goalkeeper: Matt Sells (Nottingham Forest)
- Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Milos Kirkas (Bournemouth)
- Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Ryan Gravenberch (Arsenal), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Alexander Isak (Newcastle), Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest)
The selection highlighted Liverpool's offensive strength and Nottingham Forest's defensive solidity.
Women's Super League (WSL) Awards
1. Player of the Year: Alessia Russo (Arsenal) [34:30]
Alessia Russo was named the WSL Player of the Year for her outstanding performance, pivotal in Arsenal's Champions League final appearance.
Ryan Reynolds [35:15]: "Russo's creativity and goal-scoring ability were instrumental in Arsenal's resurgence, making her a standout performer."
Megan Farringer noted Russo's exceptional balance and unselfish play, which elevated the entire team.
2. Young Player of the Year: Olivia Smith (Liverpool) [38:22]
Olivia Smith secured the Young Player of the Year award, celebrated for her dazzling performances and goal contributions.
Ryan Reynolds [38:23]: "Olivia's seven goals and numerous assists have made her a vital asset for Liverpool, showcasing her potential to become one of the greats."
Jacob Whitehead emphasized Smith's confidence and technical finesse, predicting a stellar future ahead.
3. Manager of the Season: Sonja Bambasta (Chelsea) [39:51]
Sonja Bambasta was honored as the WSL Manager of the Season for leading Chelsea to an invincible title win with a record 60 points.
Ryan Reynolds [40:00]: "Bambasta's ability to orchestrate a well-balanced team without relying on star players speaks volumes about her managerial prowess."
Megan Farringer highlighted Bambasta's strategic acumen and her team's cohesive performance despite numerous player setbacks.
4. Team of the Season [41:59]
The WSL Team of the Season included:
- Goalkeeper: Fallon Tulis Joyce (Manchester United)
- Defenders: Emily Fox (Arsenal), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Laa Alexandri (Manchester City), Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
- Midfielders: Mariana Cal Dente (Arsenal), Aaron Cuthbert (Chelsea), Kyle Dente (Chelsea)
- Forwards: Olivia Smith (Liverpool), Khadijah Shah (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
Notably, Liverpool and Chelsea had multiple representatives, reflecting their dominant seasons.
European Men's Awards
1. European Player of the Year: Raphinha (Barcelona) [48:00]
Raphinha was crowned the European Player of the Year for his exceptional performance across all competitions.
Jacob Whitehead [48:08]: "Raphinha's 56 goals and assists this season have been pivotal for Barcelona, solidifying his status as a top-tier talent."
His leadership and consistent performances were crucial in Barcelona's deep run in the Champions League.
Runners-Up: Mohamed Salah (Premier League), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Lamina Yamal (Barcelona)
2. Young Player of the Year: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) [49:33]
Lamine Yamal earned the Young Player of the Year award, recognized for his extraordinary talent and impact at just 17 years old.
Jacob Whitehead [49:41]: "Yamal's dribbling and goal-scoring ability at such a young age positions him to become one of the greatest players of all time."
His performances, especially against major teams like Inter, showcased his potential and promise for the future.
3. Manager of the Season: Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain) [52:26]
Luis Enrique was awarded Manager of the Season for leading PSG to domestic success and a Champions League final appearance.
Ryan Reynolds [52:26]: "Enrique transformed PSG into a cohesive unit, implementing disciplined practices and fostering a winning mentality despite roster challenges."
Megan Farringer commended Enrique's strategic flexibility and his ability to maximize team performance without relying heavily on star players.
4. Team of the Season [54:37]
The European Team of the Season featured:
- Goalkeeper: Tulo's Joyce (Manchester United)
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Midfielders: Pedri (Barcelona), Vitinia (Paris Saint-Germain), Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphinha (Barcelona)
The selection highlights the excellence across multiple European leagues, with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona having substantial representation.
Conclusion
The episode concluded with Duncan Alexander encouraging listeners to explore detailed articles on The Athletic website and app for comprehensive coverage of the award winners. The panelists provided a thorough analysis of each accolade, underscoring the standout performances and managerial achievements that defined the 2024/25 football season.
For more in-depth analysis and coverage, visit The Athletic and download the The Athletic FC Podcast on your preferred platform.