English broadcaster Piers Morgan has made a bold claim regarding this year’s top individual honors in football. He believes Arsenal’s Declan Rice is the standout performer in Europe and should sweep both the Ballon d’Or and the PFA Player of the Year award. Morgan dismissed the idea that Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is a more deserving candidate for the PFA prize.
According to Morgan, Rice’s performances for Arsenal this season have been unmatched, making him the finest player on the continent. The midfielder has been instrumental for the Gunners, scoring five goals and providing 11 assists in 52 appearances across all competitions. His influence has been crucial in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League, positioning the 27-year-old as a strong contender for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
Rice recently delivered a standout performance in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals on May 5. That result secured a 2-1 aggregate win for Mikel Arteta’s side, propelling them to the final.
In contrast, Bruno Fernandes has also impressed this season, racking up eight goals and 21 assists in 34 matches for Manchester United. However, the Portuguese international is unlikely to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or due to United’s lack of silverware, though he remains a strong candidate for the PFA Player of the Year award.
Morgan took to X to voice his opinion, stating: ‘The notion that Bruno Fernandes could win the PFA Player of the Year over @_DeclanRice is absurd. Rice ought to win the Ballon d’Or as well; he has been the finest player in Europe.’