Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney have been named as the Professional Footballers' Association's Merit Award winners for 2026, with the pair set to be honoured at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on Tuesday evening.

The Merit Award exists to recognise individuals whose contribution to the game extends beyond statistics and silverware — and few careers in the history of British football carry the weight of Dalglish's.

Dalglish: a career that defined an era

The 75-year-old began at Celtic before moving to Liverpool in 1977 for what was then a British record fee, going on to make 515 appearances for the club across one of the most decorated spells the English game has ever seen. Eight First Division titles and three European Cups later, Dalglish stepped into the dugout as player-manager in 1985, guiding Liverpool to the Double in 1985-86 and a further two league championships. He also ran Denis Law close for Scotland's all-time scoring record, netting 30 goals in 102 appearances — a tally that made him his country's most-capped men's international at the time.

His managerial journey continued long after Anfield. He led Blackburn Rovers to the Premier League title in 1995, a remarkable achievement, before later returning to Liverpool and adding the 2012 League Cup to his collection.

Off the pitch, Dalglish's standing in the game is equally immense. He was a steadying presence for Liverpool supporters and the bereaved families in the immediate aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, and has since raised millions of pounds for cancer care through the Marina Dalglish Appeal, founded in 2005 following his wife's successful treatment for breast cancer. Dalglish himself announced in June 2026 that he is currently undergoing cancer treatment.

Carney: 144 caps and a trailblazer off the pitch

Karen Carney's recognition is equally well-earned. The former attacking midfielder made her England debut as a 17-year-old in 2005 and went on to become one of the Lionesses' most decorated servants, accumulating 144 caps and 32 international goals across eight major tournaments, including a third-place finish at the 2015 Women's World Cup and an appearance at the 2012 London Olympics for Great Britain.

At club level, Carney was part of the Arsenal side that completed a historic quadruple in 2006-07, claiming the league, FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Women's Cup in a single season. After two seasons in the United States with Chicago Red Stars, she returned to boyhood club Birmingham City — where she had started out — and scored an extra-time equaliser in the 2012 FA Cup final. A move to Chelsea followed in late 2015, with Carney going on to win the WSL and FA Cup double in 2017-18 and serve as club captain before hanging up her boots in 2019.

Since retiring, the 39-year-old has established herself as a prominent broadcaster and analyst. She was also appointed by the UK Government to chair an independent review into the future of domestic women's football, the findings of which were published in 2023.

Following in distinguished footsteps

The pair follow Sir Gareth Southgate and Emma Hayes as recipients of the PFA Merit Award. The full ceremony, at which the men's and women's players' player of the year winners will also be revealed, takes place in Manchester on Tuesday night.

Dalglish and Carney represent two very different chapters of British football history — but both stand as figures who shaped the game in ways that go well beyond what happened inside the white lines.

FAQs

Frequently asked

What is the PFA Merit Award?
The PFA Merit Award is presented annually by the Professional Footballers' Association to individuals who have made a lasting and significant contribution to football. It is separate from the players' player of the year prizes and can be awarded to players, managers or those who have served the game in other capacities.
How many England caps did Karen Carney win?
Karen Carney earned 144 caps for England, scoring 32 international goals across a career that spanned eight major tournaments for the Lionesses. She made her debut in 2005 at the age of 17.
What trophies did Kenny Dalglish win at Liverpool?
As a player and then player-manager at Liverpool, Dalglish won eight First Division titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups and the 2012 League Cup during a 14-year association with the club. He also led Blackburn Rovers to the Premier League title in 1995.