William Saliba has put Arsenal back on the map by winning a prestigious award at The Best FIFA Football Awards.
As a result, the France defender became the first male Gunner to receive an accolade since 2016’s split from the Ballon d’Or.
Saliba earned a spot in the FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11, showcasing his talent among Premier League and La Liga stars.
He was joined in defense by Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Dani Carvajal, and Antonio Rudiger (both Real Madrid), with Emiliano Martinez in goal.
Midfielders included Rodri (Man City), Jude Bellingham, and Toni Kroos (both Real Madrid), while forwards featured Erling Haaland (Man City), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), and Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).
Saliba’s honor highlights an impressive year for both club and country, contributing significantly to Arsenal’s title challenge under Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal narrowly trailed Manchester City in the title race, conceding the fewest goals thanks to Saliba’s exceptional defensive leadership.
For France, the 23-year-old played every minute at Euro 2024, where they conceded only one goal in five matches.
Despite a semi-final defeat to Spain, Saliba’s performance solidified his status as a rising superstar in north London.
Signed by Arsenal in 2019, he returned from successful loans in France to become a key player for the Gunners.
His achievements have brought the men’s team into the spotlight, following the women’s team’s impressive award history.
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Notably, Sari van Veenendaal, Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, and Alessia Russo have all received honors at the awards.
Olivier Giroud previously won the 2017 Puskas Award for his spectacular scorpion kick against Crystal Palace.
The last mention of an Arsenal men’s player in elite awards was Thierry Henry in 2006, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or.
Henry also placed second in the Ballon d’Or voting in 2003, behind Juventus’ Pavel Nedved, and in 2004.
Dennis Bergkamp notably capped off the 1997 podium, showcasing Arsenal’s rich history in football excellence.
Henry recently praised Saliba as the best defender in the Premier League, highlighting his remarkable defensive skills.
“Right now, I think he is, by a mile,” Henry stated. “He excels in one-on-one situations and allows Arsenal to play higher.”
Moreover, Henry emphasized Saliba’s speed and ability to recover the ball, showcasing his importance to the team’s success.
