Vanessa Gilles and Jonathan David named Canada Soccer’s 2024 Players of the Year 

Vanessa Gilles and Jonathan David have been named the 2024 Canada Soccer Players of the Year as voted by Canadian coaches and sports media. 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 Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and LOSC Lille. Both players got their start in soccer in Ottawa and are alumni of École secondaire publique Louis-Riel.

“I’m incredibly honoured to be named Canada Soccer’s Women’s Player of the Year. It’s been a heck of a year filled with many highs and lows, but getting to represent this country has always been one of my greatest joys. As we move forward in a new cycle, I’m incredibly excited for what the future holds for this team. Thank you to my teammates, friends, and staff who helped us all get through such an interesting year!”

– Vanessa Gilles

“I’m truly honoured to be named Canada Soccer’s Men’s Player of the Year. Representing this country is a privilege, and I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished together. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, I’m excited for what’s ahead. Thank you to my teammates, coaches, and everyone who has supported me on this journey.”

– Jonathan David

Gilles is a first-time winner while David takes the award home for the second time (2019). Earlier this week as part of Canada Soccer’s 2024 Player Awards, Olivia Smith and Nathan Saliba were named the Young Players of the Year, Duncan McDonald was named the Para Soccer Player of the Year, and Loïc Kwemi was named the Futsal Player of the Year. Kailen Sheridan took home the 2024 Allstate Good Hands® Award. 

Gilles anchored the CANWNT defense in 2024, starting and appearing in 14 matches, scoring four goals and one assist, including the stoppage-time clincher against France that secured a win in the group stage of the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament. Her commanding performances also extended to club football, where she made 25 appearances for Lyon in the 2023-24 season, playing a crucial role in their UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign and helping them clinch the Division 1 league title. 

Olympic champion Gilles, who got her start with Ottawa Capital United SC in Ontario, has made 48 career international appearances as a defender for Canada Soccer’s Women’s National Team since 2019. She won an Olympic Gold Medal in 2021 and was named to the Concacaf W Championship Best XI in 2022. With Lyon, she is a two-time Division 1 Féminine winner and Coupe de France Féminine winner. 

David appeared in all 14 of CANMNT matches in 2024, registering five goals and three assists. He became CANMNT’s all-time leading goalscorer with his 31^st goal for Canada, scoring against Suriname in the Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinal second leg. He made his 50^th CANMNT cap against Peru in the 2024 Copa América group stage. He was named Gatorade Player of the Match on three occasions, most notably in Canada’s win over Peru in the 2024 Copa América group stage. At club level, Jonathan has featured 49 times for LOSC Lille in 2024, recording 36 goals and 10 assists so far, most notably scoring his 100^th career goal for the Ligue 1 club in December. He is the current Ligue 1 top scorer for the 2024-25 season. 

David, who got his start with Gloucester Dragons in Ontario, has made 59 career international appearances for Canada Soccer’s Men’s National Team since 2013 and is the program’s all-time leading goalscorer (31). He won the Concacaf Gold Cup Golden Boot in 2019 while being named to the Best XI and has been named to the Concacaf Nations League Best XI in 2023. With Lille, he is a Ligue 1 and Trophée des Champions winner. 

In the vote for Women’s National Team players, Gilles finished first ahead of runner-up Jessie Fleming and top five finishers Evelyne Viens, Kadeisha Buchanan, and Ashley Lawrence. In the vote for Men’s National Team players, David finished first ahead of runner-up Moïse Bombito and top five finishers Alistair Johnston, Jacob Shaffelburg, and Alphonso Davies.