Vanessa Gilles, Jonathan David repeat as Canada Soccer Players of the Year

Canada's Jonathan David presses Ecuador's Piero Martin Hincapie during International friendly soccer action in Toronto on Thursday November 13, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Vanessa Gilles and Jonathan David have been named Canada Soccer Players of the Year for the second year in a row.

Gilles, a centre back who plays her club football for Germany’s Bayern Munich, beat out San Diego Wave forward Adriana Leon and Manchester United defender Jayde Riviere.

David, a forward who plays for Juventus in Italy, won over Vancouver Whitecaps winger Ali Ahmed and Villarreal winger Tajon Buchanan.

Gilles and David are recognized as co-winners of the award, which was decided in a vote of the media and Canada Soccer coaches.

David, who was named the 2024/25 CONCACAF Men’s Player of the Year in November, also won the Canada award in 2019.

Gilles marked her 50th appearance for Canada on Feb. 22 with a goal in a 2-0 win over Mexico at the Pinatar Cup, a victory that secured the tournament title.

“It’s a real honour to be named Canada Soccer’s women’s player of the year again,” Gilles said in a statement. “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.”

The 28-year-old from Ottawa appeared in eight matches for Canada in 2025, starting six, and was an important player when healthy, with fellow centre back Kadeisha Buchanan sidelined by a knee injury. The Canadian women were 4-3-1 when Gilles played this year and 2-3-1 when she didn’t.

“After a challenging year, both personally and as a group, this recognition means a lot to me,” Gilles said. “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.”

The Canadian women finish the year mired in a five-game losing streak and 454-minute goal drought.

Gilles began the year with Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, making 13 appearances and logging 1,120 minutes while contributing four goals and one assist. She helped the French side win the 2024-25 league title and reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinals.

She moved to Bayern in May with three goals in seven appearances to date.

“(Gilles) commands the field with intelligence, leadership, and composure under pressure, inspiring confidence in everyone around her,” said Canada coach Casey Stoney. “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.”

Gilles, an aerial threat, has eight goals in 56 career appearances for Canada.

David appeared in all 14 Canada matches this year, scoring six goals and adding two assists. The stylish attacker has 73 caps and leads all Canadian men with 37 goals.

David scored eight goals and added seven assists for France’s Lille before leaving to join storied Italian side Juventus on a free transfer. The 25-year-old from Ottawa scored on his debut in a 2-0 win over Parma in the Serie A season opener, then suffered through a goal drought before scoring twice in Champions League play.

“Jonathan is a consummate professional and fully deserving of the Canada Soccer player of the year award,” said Canada coach Jesse Marsch. ”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.”

Promise David, Richie Laryea, Tani Oluwaseyi, Niko Sigur and Dayne St. Clair were among the men’s nominees, as were Marie-Yasmine Alidou, Emma Regan, Janine Sonis, Holly Ward and Shelina Zadorsky on the women’s side.

Earlier this week, Olivia Chisholm and Luc De Fougerolles were named Young Players of the Year. Duncan McDonald was named Para Soccer Player of the Year, and Léa Palacio-Tellier the Futsal Player of the Year.

Maxime Crépeau won the Allstate Good Hands Award for best save.

Canada Player of the Year Winners

2025: Jonathan David, Vanessa Gilles.

2024: Jonathan David, Vanessa Gilles.

2023: Stephen Eustáquio, Jessie Fleming.

2022: Alphonso Davies, Jessie Fleming.

2021: Alphonso Davies, Jessie Fleming.

2020: Alphonso Davies, Kadeisha Buchanan.

2019: Jonathan David, Ashley Lawrence.

2018: Alphonso Davies, Christine Sinclair.

2017: Atiba Hutchinson, Kadeisha Buchanan.

2016: Atiba Hutchinson, Christine Sinclair.

2015: Atiba Hutchinson, Kadeisha Buchanan.

2014: Atiba Hutchinson, Christine Sinclair.

2013: Will Johnson, Christine Sinclair.

2012: Atiba Hutchinson, Christine Sinclair.

2011: Dwayne De Rosario, Christine Sinclair.

2010: Atiba Hutchinson, Christine Sinclair.

2009: Simeon Jackson, Christine Sinclair.

2008: Julian de Guzman, Christine Sinclair.

2007: Dwayne De Rosario, Christine Sinclair.

2006: Dwayne De Rosario, Christine Sinclair.

2005: Dwayne De Rosario, Christine Sinclair.

2004: Paul Stalteri, Christine Sinclair.

2003: Pat Onstad, Charmaine Hooper.

2002: Jason deVos, Charmaine Hooper.

2001: Paul Stalteri, Andrea Neil.

2000: Craig Forrest, Christine Sinclair.

1999: Jim Brennan, Geraldine Donnelly.

1998: Tomasz Radzinski, Silvana Burtini Gerela.

1997: Mark Watson, Janine Helland.

1996: Paul Peschisolido, Geraldine Donnelly.

1995: Alex Bunbury, Charmaine Hooper.

1994: Craig Forrest, Charmaine Hooper.

1993: Alex Bunbury.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2025