Merit Awards 2024: Kang, Onana and Sällström recognized for their work off the field

• Each year, FIFPRO pays tribute to players who invest in their community by awarding them merit awards
• Winners of the Player Activism Award, Player Impact Award and Player Impact Award announced at FIFPRO General Assembly in Indonesia
• Ga-Ae Kang, André Onana and Linda Sällström rewarded for their work off the field

Ga-Ae Kang (Sejong Sports Toto WFC/Republic of Korea), André Onana (Manchester United/Cameroon) and Linda Sällström (Vittsjo GIK/Finland) are the winners of the 2024 FIFPRO Merit Awards.

• Player Activism Award: Linda Sällström, for bringing about political or social change.
• Player Impact Award : André Onana, for seeking to have an impact on the lives of others.
• Player’s Voice Award : Ga-Ae Kang, for highlighting an issue and influencing change.

Each year, FIFPRO honors players who invest in their community by awarding them merit awards, divided into the following three categories: Activism, Impact and Voice.

This year’s winners were chosen by the FIFPRO selection committee, comprised of Todd Brogan, Director of the International Trade Union Confederation, Erica Puppo, Director of EDI at FIFPRO, and representatives from each division of FIFPRO: Desmond Maringwa (Zimbabwe, Africa), Kathryn Gill (Australia, Asia/Oceania), Steven Bryce (Costa Rica, Central and North America), Mila Hristova (Bulgaria, Europe) and Gamadiel Garcia (Chile, South America).

Player activism: Linda Sällström

Linda Sällström is Finland’s all-time top scorer and is on track to become the country’s most capped player. She has spoken out on human rights issues such as equality, racism and democracy. In March, she confronted fans in Gothenburg, Sweden, who had harassed her teammates with misogynistic insults.

“I feel very humbled and grateful for this award. I feel a little weird because I only did the least I could do: used my voice. There are people who do so much more every day than me, and they don’t get the recognition they should have. I want to stand in solidarity with them and everyone else who is trying to make a small change for the better,” Linda said.