FWA Footballer of the Year 2019: Raheem Sterling wins Football Writers’ award ahead of Virgil van Dijk

Sterling received 62 per cent of the votes to seal a double for Manchester City and England as Nikita Parris claimed the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year award

The Football Writers’ Association has named Raheem Sterling it's 2018/19 Footballer of the Year ahead of the Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who on Sunday claimed the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Sterling had to make do with the Young Footballer of the Year award at Sunday night’s Professional Footballers’ Association ceremony as Van Dijk beat him to the top gong, but the tables were turned by the country’s football journalists, who voted in favour of Sterling by 62 per cent.

Van Dijk finished in second place in the vote ahead of Sterling’s Manchester City teammate Sergio Aguero, while other players to receive at least one vote were Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Chelsea forward Eden Hazard, City pair Bernardo and David Silva and Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette.

The FWA also announced that Manchester City and England forward Nikita Parris had been voted the Women's Footballer of the Year, sealing the first time that the two top awards have gone to the same club and country.

Newly-elected FWA Chair Carrie Brown praised 24-year-old Sterling for the example that he has set off the field this season, having been vocal in fighting against racism and also calling out how the British media were portraying young black footballers.

“Raheem Sterling is a player of style and a man of substance,” Brown said. “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.”

Brown also hailed Sterling’s development over the last nine months under Pep Guardiola and Gareth Southgate to “evolve into one of the most dangerous forwards in the world”, and also considered whether his upward trajectory will one day put him onto a similar level as Lionel Messi following his performances this season.

FWA chairman Carrie Brown paid tribute to Sterling's role off the field (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

“A player long admired for his tactical intelligence, link-up play and quick feet has now added a devastating finish to his game,” continued Brown. “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 9 May.”

Nikita Parris claimed the FWA Women's Footballer of the Year award (PA)

While Sterling proved the landslide winner in the men’s category, 25-year-old Parris took the women’s award by just a single vote, beating Arsenal and Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema 11 votes to 10. Parris’ City teammate and England captain Steph Houghton finished third, while there was also votes for Arsenal trio Beth Mead, Danielle van der Donk and Leah Williamson, Chelsea’s Magdalena Ericsson, Erin Cuthbert, Karen Carney and Fran Kirby, City’s Georgia Stanway, Lucy Bronze of Lyon and Barcelona’s Toni Duggan.

The FWA highlighted Parris for standing clear as the Women’s Super League record goalscorer and also her role in firing City to the Women’s FA Cup final next weekend, as well as England’s success in the SheBelieves Cup.

Parris was also praised for her international form at the SheBelieves Cup (Reuters)

However, like Sterling there was also special recognition for Parris’ work off the field, having set up the NP17 Football Academy with the City of Liverpool College to provide sports qualifications to students.