Matildas captain Sam Kerr has been pipped to the PFA’s women’s footballer of the year prize by full back Ellie Carpenter.

Carpenter was voted by her peers as Australia’s best female player in the 2020-21 season, despite Kerr’s stellar season at English club Chelsea and Olympic heroics in Tokyo.

Lyon defender Carpenter also won the PFA’s young women’s footballer award to become the first female player to claim both awards in the same season.

It’s also the second year running Carpenter has won the women’s young footballer prize.

.@thepfa Women's Footballer of the Year 2021! 🥇@thepfa Young Women's Footballer of the Year 2021! 🥇

Congratulations to @TheMatildas defender @CarpenterEllie on winning the historic double! #WeAreMatildas

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 26, 2021

“I’m really surprised and feeling humbled to receive both awards,” the 21-year-old said.

“For me it goes to show that it’s not just me, it’s also the teams that I’ve been playing in as well.

“I’m so appreciative of my teammates and their support; credit to every girl on the Matildas and also my Lyon team here, it’s pushed me to be the best that I can be.”

While Kerr would have been considered a favourite for the award, Carpenter’s maiden campaign in France was highly impressive.

She won the 2020 UEFA Women’s Champions League title with Lyon, the French Cup and was picked in the Division 1 Feminine team of the season.

Carpenter was also part of the Matildas’ Olympic team that made the semi-finals in Tokyo and narrowly missed out on securing the country’s first Olympic football medal.

🏅A big congratulations to Jamie Maclaren and Connor Metcalfe who've been recognised in @thepfa Players' Awards.

Macca took out the top honour as Footballer of the Year, while Connor received the Harry Kewell Medal. 👏👏#CmonCity | https://t.co/1OtQvVGMKM

— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) August 26, 2021

In the men’s awards, Melbourne City and Socceroos forward Jamie Maclaren’s prolific season was rewarded with the PFA men’s footballer of the year prize.

City teammate Connor Metcalfe made it a double for the A-League champions, claiming the Harry Kewell Medal as Australia’s men’s young player of the year.

“This is something I’m finding hard to put into words,” said Maclaren, who scored a career-best 25 goals in 23 appearances for City last season.

“After winning the A-League championship and my third golden boot this season, it speaks volumes about the environment I have here at Melbourne City and also the staff and my teammates.”

-AAP