Ottawa natives capture back-to-back Player of the Year wins
Vanessa Gilles and Jonathan David have been named the 2025 Canada Soccer Players of the Year as voted by Canadian media members and Canada Soccer Coaching License holders. They were named the top players in the nation based on their performances for both the Women’s and Men’s National Teams as well as their respective professional clubs FC Bayern Munich and Juventus FC.
“It’s a real honour to be named Canada Soccer’s Women’s Player of the Year again. There was a time when I never thought I would even get the opportunity to play for this team, let alone be nominated alongside so many incredible role models for this country. Not that long ago, I got into this sport because of the people who came before us and the example they set, including many past nominees. To now be in this position isn’t something I take for granted. After a challenging year, both personally and as a group, this recognition means a lot to me. Wearing the Canada jersey is an absolute privilege, and we will keep working and doing all that we can to help this team move forward.” – Vanessa Gilles
“Vanessa’s journey to the top of the game has been anything but conventional, and that’s what makes her story so remarkable. She commands the field with intelligence, leadership, and composure under pressure, inspiring confidence in everyone around her. Her consistent performances for Canada and at the highest level in club football make her a player you can always rely on, and this honour is a well-deserved recognition of her impact.” – Casey Stoney
“I’m proud to have been chosen as Canada Soccer’s Men’s Player of the Year for a third time. I’m grateful to my teammates, the coaching staff, and everyone who continues to support our program. As we approach a historic period for Canadian soccer with the World Cup coming to our country in 2026, it’s an exciting time, and I’m proud to be part of a group that’s focused on continuing to raise the standard.” – Jonathan David
“Jonathan is a consummate professional and fully deserving of the Canada Soccer Player of the Year award. Jonny is an incredible person as much as he is a talented player. To get an understanding of his commitment and desire to play for Canada, look no further than this summer’s Gold Cup. He put on our jersey when he didn’t even have a professional contract nailed down. He understands completely what it means to be Canadian and fight for the badge. I’m excited for an even better 2026 for Jonny and our team.” – Jesse Marsch
Earlier this week, Olivia Chisholm and Luc De Fougerolles were named the 2025 Canada Soccer Young Players of the Year, Duncan McDonald was named the 2025 Canada Soccer Para Soccer Player of the Year, and Léa Palacio-Tellier was named the 2025 Canada Soccer Futsal Player of the Year. Maxime Crépeau took home the 2025 Allstate Good Hands® Award.
For Canada, Gilles appeared in eight matches in 2025, starting six and scoring once. Her goal came in the 2-0 win over Mexico at the Pinatar Cup, a result that secured the tournament title and marked her 50th appearance with CANWNT.
At club level, Gilles began 2025 with Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, making 13 appearances and logging 1,120 minutes while contributing four goals and one assist. She helped OL Lyonnes win the 2024-25 Première Ligue and reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals. In May, she transferred to FC Bayern Munich, where she has made seven appearances and scored three goals so far in the 2025-2026 season.
For Canada, J. David appeared in all 14 matches, contributing six goals and two assists. In 2025, J. David entered CANMNT’s Top 10 All-Time appearances leaders, currently sitting at 73, five off Mark Watson’s 78 appearances for country. He was named the 2024/25 Concacaf Men’s Player of the Year at November’s Concacaf Awards.
For LOSC Lille, J. David contributed eight goals and seven assists in 2025 before announcing his departure in May. He departed the club as its third all-time goalscorer and all-time goalscoring leader in European competitions. In July, J. David joined Italian giants Juventus on a free transfer, scoring on his debut in a 2:0 win over Parma in the club’s opening Serie A match of the 2025/26 season. He has scored twice in six appearances in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League for Juventus, including a last-minute winning goal against Bodø/Glimt in a 3:2 away win in Norway.
|
Year |
Men’s Winner |
Women’s Winner |
|
2025 |
Jonathan David (3) |
Vanessa Gilles (2) |
|
2024 |
Jonathan David (2) |
Vanessa Gilles |
|
2023 |
Stephen Eustáquio |
Jessie Fleming (3) |
|
2022 |
Alphonso Davies (4) |
Jessie Fleming (2) |
|
2021 |
Alphonso Davies (3) |
Jessie Fleming |
|
2020 |
Alphonso Davies (2) |
Kadeisha Buchanan (3) |
|
2019 |
Jonathan David |
Ashley Lawrence |
|
2018 |
Alphonso Davies |
Christine Sinclair (14) |
|
2017 |
Atiba Hutchinson (6) |
Kadeisha Buchanan (2) |
|
2016 |
Atiba Hutchinson (5) |
Christine Sinclair (13) |
|
2015 |
Atiba Hutchinson (4) |
Kadeisha Buchanan |
|
2014 |
Atiba Hutchinson (3) |
Christine Sinclair (12) |
|
2013 |
Will Johnson |
Christine Sinclair (11) |
|
2012 |
Atiba Hutchinson (2) |
Christine Sinclair (10) |
|
2011 |
Dwayne De Rosario (4) |
Christine Sinclair (9) |
|
2010 |
Atiba Hutchinson |
Christine Sinclair (8) |
|
2009 |
Simeon Jackson |
Christine Sinclair (7) |
|
2008 |
Julian de Guzman |
Christine Sinclair (6) |
|
2007 |
Dwayne De Rosario (3) |
Christine Sinclair (5) |
|
2006 |
Dwayne De Rosario (2) |
Christine Sinclair (4) |
|
2005 |
Dwayne De Rosario |
Christine Sinclair (3) |
|
2004 |
Paul Stalteri |
Christine Sinclair (2) |
|
2003 |
Pat Onstad |
Charmaine Hooper (4) |
|
2002 |
Jason deVos |
Charmaine Hooper (3) |
|
2001 |
Paul Stalteri |
Andrea Neil |
|
2000 |
Craig Forrest |
Christine Sinclair |
|
1999 |
Jim Brennan |
Geraldine Donnelly (2) |
|
1998 |
Tomasz Radzinski |
Silvana Burtini Gerela |
|
1997 |
Mark Watson |
Janine Helland |
|
1996 |
Paul Peschisolido |
Geraldine Donnelly |
|
1995 |
Alex Bunbury (2) |
Charmaine Hooper (2) |
|
1994 |
Craig Forrest |
Charmaine Hooper |
|
1993 |
Alex Bunbury |
|
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