The Professional Footballers' Association has announced the recipients of the special PFA Merit Award for 2026, honouring exceptional and long-standing contributions to the beautiful game. Legendary Scottish forward and manager Sir Kenny Dalglish, alongside former England international Karen Carney, are this year's worthy recipients. The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday evening in Manchester.
The 75-year-old Dalglish has had a remarkable career both on the pitch and on the sidelines. He shares the national record for goals scored with Denis Law (30) and holds the record for the most appearances for the Scotland national team with 102 caps. After enjoying success at Celtic, he transferred to Liverpool in 1977 for a then-record fee in the UK, becoming a pivotal figure during the club's golden era. Over 14 years, he clinched eight First Division titles, three European Cups in 515 appearances, and finished as a runner-up in the Ballon d'Or voting in 1983. Transitioning to player-manager in 1985, Dalglish led the team to three league titles and two FA Cups, including the famed double in the 1985/86 season. In 1995, he achieved a stunning Premier League triumph with Blackburn Rovers, and also managed Newcastle United and Liverpool again, securing the League Cup in 2012.
Off the pitch, Dalglish demonstrated incredible bravery following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, offering comprehensive support to the families of those who lost their lives. Through the Marina Dalglish Appeal, established in 2005, he has raised millions of pounds for cancer treatment. In June 2026, the legendary Scot revealed that he himself is undergoing treatment for cancer.
Meanwhile, 39-year-old Karen Carney earned her reputation as one of the most technically gifted midfielders of her generation. With Arsenal's women's team, she achieved a historic quadruple in the 2006/07 season, winning the league, FA Cup, League Cup, and Women's UEFA Cup. She later played for Chicago Red Stars, helped Birmingham City secure an FA Cup victory, and, after moving to Chelsea, enjoyed a golden double in the 2017/18 season, captaining the team until her retirement in 2019. For the England national team, Carney made 144 appearances, scoring 32 goals, and won bronze medals at the 2015 World Cup, also representing Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. Since retiring, she has become a leading pundit and commentator, and has chaired an independent government commission in the UK focused on the strategic development of women's football.
