By Francis Onyach - Reporter
UK, May 20, 2026 - Chelsea forward João Pedro has been named the club’s 2025/26 Player of the Season, completing a remarkable individual campaign just hours after suffering the disappointment of being left out of Brazil’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Brazilian striker received the award following a fan vote conducted by Chelsea, with the club confirming that João Pedro secured more than 60 percent of all votes cast by supporters. Midfielders Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo finished second and third respectively.
The timing of the announcement immediately drew global attention because it came less than a day after Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti omitted the 24-year-old from the Seleção’s final World Cup squad, despite what many observers consider the best season of João Pedro’s career.
João Pedro’s award-winning season has been one of the few major positives in Chelsea’s campaign.
After joining the Blues from Brighton in 2025, the Brazilian adapted quickly and established himself as the team’s most consistent attacking player. Across all competitions, he scored 20 goals and contributed several assists, becoming Chelsea’s first striker since Diego Costa in 2017 to reach the 20-goal mark in a single season.
His performances in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup made him one of Chelsea’s standout players throughout the year. Chelsea’s official website highlighted not only his goalscoring record but also his work rate, link-up play, and influence in decisive matches.
One of his biggest moments came during Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign, where he scored crucial goals in both the semifinal and final to help the club lift the trophy.
Despite those achievements, João Pedro’s omission from Brazil’s World Cup squad sparked widespread debate across football media and social platforms.
Many supporters expected him to be included after his impressive season in England, especially considering Brazil’s need for in-form attacking players heading into the tournament. Instead, Carlo Ancelotti opted for alternatives including Neymar, Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Endrick, and Igor Thiago.
The decision generated particularly strong reactions because videos circulating online showed João Pedro’s family gathered together watching the squad announcement live, only to react with visible heartbreak when his name was not called. The emotional scenes quickly went viral across football social media pages.
More from Kenya
According to multiple reports, Ancelotti later admitted he felt “sad” about leaving the Chelsea forward out and acknowledged that João Pedro had performed at a level worthy of consideration. However, the Brazil coach reportedly prioritized experience and tactical balance in his final selection.
João Pedro himself responded calmly to the disappointment.
In a statement shared on social media, the striker said he had always tried to give his best and accepted that both joy and frustration are part of football. He also wished the Brazil squad success at the World Cup and said he would support the team as a fan.
Chelsea supporters, meanwhile, rallied strongly behind the Brazilian after the award announcement.
Across Reddit and football forums, many fans described the World Cup omission as “baffling” given his performances this season. Others argued that João Pedro had been Chelsea’s best signing in recent years and deserved recognition for carrying much of the club’s attacking responsibility during difficult periods of the campaign.
The award also places João Pedro in notable Chelsea history.
He becomes only the third Brazilian player to win Chelsea’s official Player of the Season award after Willian and Thiago Silva. He is also the first central striker to receive the honor since club legend Didier Drogba.
For João Pedro, the last 24 hours have delivered both the highest recognition of his club career and one of the most painful disappointments of his international journey.
One day, he was left out of football’s biggest tournament and the next, he got crowned the best player of the season.