Newcastle Jets recruit Alex Badolato has become the first Australian ever to be crowned AFC Men’s Youth Player of the Year, with the honour confirmed at the annual AFC Awards in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday night.
The award recognises the best young footballer across Asia as Badolato scooped the award courtesy of his MVP performance at the 2025 AFC U20 Asian Cup which Australia won.
He wasn’t the only Aussie recognised on the night, with referee trio Alireza Faghani, Anton Shchetinin, and Ashley Beecham also honoured with the AFC Referees Special Award after their feats at the Club World Cup in the US earlier this year.
“Being named AFC Youth Player of the Year is an incredible honour, and to be the first Australian to receive this award makes this moment even more special,” Badolato said, via Football Australia.
“This has been an unforgettable year and I’m truly grateful to my coaches, teammates, and everyone who continues to support me. This award inspires me to keep working hard and pushing to represent Australia at the highest level.”
Football Australia Interim CEO Heather Garriock added: “On behalf of everyone at Football Australia, I’d like to offer a big congratulations to those recognised by the AFC Awards.
“Alex has had an outstanding year and it’s wonderful to see it acknowledged with this award.
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“His achievement is a landmark moment for Australian football. To be recognised as the top youth player in Asia is a testament to not only his hard work and talent, but also the strength of our development pathways and systems. We’re incredibly proud.
“It is also wonderful to see Alireza Faghani, Anton Shchetinin, and Ashley Beecham acknowledged with the AFC Referees Special Award.
“Their recognition caps off a strong year after officiating the FIFA Club World Cup Final, and is a reflection of their exceptional professionalism and commitment to officiating at the highest level.
“We are proud to see Australian referees continue to be recognised on the continental stage for their excellence and contribution to the game.”
Badolato joins a star-studded list of Australians to be recognised with continental gongs over the years; Sasa Ognenovski was Men’s Player of the Year in 2010; Mile Jedinak was International Player of the year in 2014; Kate Gill, Katrina Gorry, Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr (twice) have all been named Women’s Player of the Year; Ellie Carpenter was named AFC Asian International Player of the Year in 2023; Tony Popovic and Ange Postecoglou won Men’s Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons, while Tom Sermanni was named Women’s Coach of the Year in 2007.
Meanwhile, the big winners on the night were Saudi superstar Salem Al Dawsari, who picked AFC Player of the Year, and Japan’s Hana Takahashi who claimed the women’s equivalent.
Al Dawsari becomes just the fourth player to win Asia’s biggest individual award twice – after Hidetoshi Nakata, Akram Afif and Server Djeparov – claiming this year’s gong after finishing top scorer in the AFC Champions League Elite as Al Hilal made the semi-finals.
Full list of awards via AFC:
AFC Diamond of Asia: Timothy Fok Tsun Ting
AFC President’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement: DPR Korea Football Association
AFC Coach of the Year (Women): Marziyeh Jafari (Bam Khatoon Women’s FC and IRN)
AFC Coach of the Year (Men): Ri Song Ho (DPR Korea U20 Women and PRK)
AFC Futsal Player of the Year: Salar Aghapour (Gohar Zamin and IRN)
AFC Women’s Player of the Year: Hana Takahashi (Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies and JPN)
AFC Player of the Year: Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal SFC and KSA)
AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Women): Maika Hamano (Chelsea FC and JPN)
AFC Asian International Player of the Year (Men): Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain and KOR)
AFC Youth Player of the Year (Women): Choe Il Son (4.25 SC and PRK)
AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men): Alex Badolato (Melbourne Victory and AUS)
AFC Referees Special Award: Alireza Faghani (AUS), Anton Shchetinin (AUS), Ashley Beecham (AUS)
