The CFA Awards Ceremony, Revitalizing the Year-End Tradition of the Three-Tier Leagues

Reporter Chen Yong, Shanghai — On December 12, the CFA held the 2025 Chinese Football Professional League Awards Ceremony, revealing the top honors for the Super League, League One, and League Two. The most notable awards, Super League Best Player and Best Coach, were awarded to Kazaishvili from Shandong Taishan and Ramos from Henan Club Jiuzudukang.

The Best Player and Best Coach awards are undoubtedly the two most prestigious honors at the ceremony. The best players for the three leagues were Kazaishvili (Shandong Taishan) for the Super League, Mbenza (Liaoning Iron & Steel Rural Commercial Bank) for League One, and Fernando (Guangxi Hengchen) for League Two.

“This trophy belongs to all of us because it represents our collective achievement. I feel deeply grateful and proud,” said Kazaishvili, who was unable to attend in person but delivered his acceptance speech via video.

The Best Coaches were Daniel Ramos (Henan Club Jiuzudukang) for the Super League, Li Jinyu (Liaoning Iron & Steel Rural Commercial Bank) for League One, and Liu Junwei (Guangxi Hengchen) for League Two.

For the Best Young Player award, the winners were Wang Yudong (Zhejiang Club Greentown) in the Super League, Zhang Zhixiong (Chongqing Tonglianglong) in League One, and Peng Xiao (Shandong Taishan B team) in League Two.

In an interview, Wang Yudong said, “Winning this award acknowledges the hard work I put in this year. Now, I’m fully focused on preparing for the U23 Asian Cup.” When asked about playing abroad, Wang jokingly kept it a secret.

The Best Goalkeepers were Liu Dianzuo (Chengdu Rongcheng) in the Super League, Liu Weiguo (Liaoning Iron & Steel) in League One, and Hu Haoran (Changchun Xidu) in League Two.

The top scorers were clear-cut. Fabio (Beijing Guoan) won the Super League Golden Boot with 28 goals; Mbenza (Liaoning Iron & Steel) also scored 28 goals in League One, breaking the single-season scoring record and helping his team win the championship; Fernando (Guangxi Hengchen) set a new single-season goal record in League Two with 24 goals and led his team to the title.

In an interview, Fabio said, “Wako and I competed fiercely until the very end, pushing each other to perform at our best to win over the fans and earn the top scorer honor.”

Fabio also added, “Only God knows what tomorrow holds, but I want to say that I love this city and everyone around me. As long as Beijing Guoan needs me, I will stand by them unwaveringly.”

[Referee Awards] The much-anticipated Super League Best Referees were Gold Whistle Li Haixin, Silver Whistle Tang Shunqi, and Bronze Whistle Fu Ming. The Best Assistant Referees were Gold Flag Zhou Fei, Silver Flag Zhang Cheng, and Bronze Flag Guo Jingtao. Other awards for League One and League Two referees were also presented accordingly.

[Outstanding Popularity Divisions] Super League: Dalian, Beijing, Shanghai (Shanghai Shenhua), and Shandong divisions; League One: Shenyang, Yanbian, Shaanxi, and Chongqing divisions; League Two: Shandong Zoucheng, Jiangsu Nantong, and Guangxi Nanning divisions.

[Fair Play Clubs] Super League: Shanghai Shenhua, Dalian Yingbo Haifa, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, and Meizhou Hakka; League One: Chongqing Tonglianglong, Liaoning Iron & Steel Rural Commercial Bank, Qingdao Red Lions, and Guangdong Guangzhou Leopards; League Two: Chengdu Rongcheng B team, Shanghai Haigang Fusheng Jingkai, Guangzhou Puying Dehua Lujian, Guangxi Hengchen, and Wuhan Three Towns B team.

[Best XI]

Super League: Forwards: Fabio (Beijing Guoan), Leonardo (Shanghai Haigang), Felipe (Chengdu Rongcheng); Midfielders: Kazaishvili (Shandong Taishan), Mitrits (Zhejiang Club Greentown), Romulo (Chengdu Rongcheng), Mateus Vital (Shanghai Haigang); Defenders: Timo Letschert (Chengdu Rongcheng), Jiang Shenglong (Shanghai Shenhua), Zhu Chenjie (Shanghai Shenhua); Goalkeeper: Liu Dianzuo (Chengdu Rongcheng).

League One: Forwards: Mbenza (Liaoning Iron & Steel Rural Commercial Bank), Alexis (Dingnan Ganlian), Mushekwi (Dalian Kunchen); Midfielders: An Yien (Liaoning Iron & Steel Rural Commercial Bank), Rosa (Guangdong Guangzhou Leopards), Nikon (Guangdong Guangzhou Leopards), Xiang Yuwang (Chongqing Tonglianglong); Defenders: Ruan Qilong (Chongqing Tonglianglong), Xu Jizu (Yanbian Longding Kexian), Yang Yun (Shijiazhuang Kungfu); Goalkeeper: Liu Weiguo (Liaoning Iron & Steel Rural Commercial Bank).

League Two: Forwards: Fernando (Guangxi Hengchen), Kaiser Turson (Wuxi Wugou), Wang Bowen (Haimen Kediyuan); Midfielders: Tong Le (Wuxi Wugou), Shi Letian (Beijing Institute of Technology), Zhang Huajun (Guangxi Hengchen); Defenders: Peng Xiao (Shandong Taishan B team), Zhang Zijian (Guangxi Hengchen), Gou Junchen (Wuxi Wugou), Xu Yougang (Jiangxi Lushan); Goalkeeper: Hu Haoran (Changchun Xidu).

Due to the pandemic and other reasons, the professional league awards ceremony was suspended for several years. This year marks its return and also the CFA’s debut in independently fulfilling its role in this regard.

Having a conclusive and celebratory ceremony after the end of a season in the three-tier professional leagues is both necessary and important. It enhances the annual sense of ceremony marking the start and end of the leagues, gives coaches and players a clear cycle signal, and boosts the appeal and unity of Chinese professional football.

For the CFA, which independently manages the professional leagues, hosting the season-ending ceremony is a responsibility. At the very least, reviving the awards ceremony itself is indispensable for building the brand of the three-tier leagues and unlocking potential commercial opportunities.