Raheem Sterling wins Football Writers' Footballer of the Year | OneFootball

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Dan Burke·29 April 2019

Raheem Sterling wins Football Writers' Footballer of the Year

Article image:Raheem Sterling wins Football Writers' Footballer of the Year

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has been named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year 2019.

And Manchester City Women’s striker Nikita Parris has won the Women’s Footballer of the Year award.


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Sterling won with 62% of the vote and 100 votes more than Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who was officially named PFA Players’ Player of the Year on Sunday evening.

City striker Sergio Agüero came third, while Harry Kane (Tottenham), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal), Bernardo Silva and David Silva (Manchester City) also received votes from the FWA’s 400 members.

Sterling has scored 29 goals for club and country so far this season and received widespread acclaim for speaking out against racism in football.

The 24-year-old was also named PFA Young Player of the Year on Sunday.

FWA Chair Carrie Brown said: “Raheem Sterling is a player of style and a man of substance.

“More than 70 years ago Charles Buchan, one of the founding fathers of the Footballer Writers’ Association, suggested there be an award presented to the player who by “precept and example” is considered the Footballer of the Year.

“Raheem Sterling is an exemplar of the talent and values our founding fathers sought to reward when they established the FWA in 1947.

“To have been voted the 2019 Footballer of the Year by our members, and with such an overwhelming majority, clearly acknowledges the contribution from a player over one season but it also recognises the huge impact of Raheem’s courage to challenge preconceptions and fight racism, which will leave a legacy not just for future generations in football but society as a whole. Eyes have been opened, voices found, we are listening and will be at the forefront of the continued drive for equality.

Article image:Raheem Sterling wins Football Writers' Footballer of the Year

“On the pitch, Raheem has evolved into one of the most dangerous forwards in the world. A player long admired for his tactical intelligence, link-up play and quick feet has now added a devastating finish to his game. The Manchester City forward’s Champions League opener against Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium drew comparisons with Lionel Messi’s goal against Manchester United. Are we approaching a time where Barcelona’s maestro will be forced to cast a watchful glance over his dropped shoulder at the rising star of Sterling?

“Raheem didn’t set out to be a leader, but he is setting examples in society and in the game which the world is following with interest.

“I look forward to presenting him with the Sir Stanley Matthews Trophy on May 9.”

Article image:Raheem Sterling wins Football Writers' Footballer of the Year

Meanwhile, 25-year-old City and England Women’s forward Parris narrowly pipped Arsenal and Netherlands star Vivianne Miedema to the Women’s award.

Parris is the FA Women’s Super League’s all-time record goalscorer and has also been recognised for her work in helping to set up the NP17 Football Academy alongside the City of Liverpool College.