PFA Awards: Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney win Merit Award
BBC Sport
In summary:
Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney have been named the Professional Footballers' Association's (PFA) Merit Award winners for 2026. The award recognizes individuals who have made a lasting contribution to football.
Dalglish: A Legacy in Football
Sir Kenny Dalglish, a Scottish football legend, enjoyed a remarkable career as both a player and manager. He became Scotland's most-capped men's international with 102 appearances and scored 30 national team goals, equaling Denis Law's record.
At the club level, Dalglish began at Celtic, winning several trophies, before joining Liverpool for a British record fee in 1977. He played a crucial role in Liverpool's golden era, winning eight First Division titles, three European Cups, and becoming a runner-up for the Ballon d'Or in 1983. As player-manager, he led the club to three league titles and two FA Cups, including the historic double in 1985-86.
Following his managerial stint at Liverpool, Dalglish had successful periods at Blackburn, Celtic, Newcastle, and returned to Liverpool for a final spell. He has also made significant contributions off the field, supporting bereaved families after the Hillsborough disaster and raising funds for cancer care through the Marina Dalglish Appeal.
Dalglish, 75, announced in June 2026 that he is undergoing treatment for cancer.
Carney: A Trailblazer in Women's Football
Karen Carney, a former England attacking midfielder, left her mark on women's football. She was part of the Arsenal team that achieved a historic quadruple in 2006-07 and later played for Chicago Red Stars and Birmingham City.
Carney played a key role in Birmingham's FA Cup victory in 2007. After moving to Chelsea, she won the WSL and FA Cup double in 2017-18 and served as club captain. She retired from playing in 2019 with 144 caps for England, scoring 32 goals, and helping the Lionesses finish third at the 2015 Women's World Cup.
Since retirement, Carney has established a broadcasting and analysis career and was appointed to chair an independent review into the future of domestic women's football by the UK Government in 2023.