It is the first time that two players have been crowned academy talents during the annual awards evening at Sportcomplex De Toekomst. Abdalla succeeds Sean Steur with his selection. The midfielder has been part of the Amsterdam club since the summer of 2024 and made his professional debut earlier this year.
The Ajacied, who is part of the academy alongside his two brothers, came on for the final six minutes for Ajax U23 away at Jong AZ. He now has 15 appearances in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, in which he has scored once and provided two assists.
For Van Dijk, 2026 has been a memorable year. The Ajax player made her debut on 22 February 2026 in the home match against FC Twente: 0-0. In doing so, she became the youngest debutant in the history of Ajax Women at 16 years and 22 days. Van Dijk has made nine appearances for the Ajax Women this season.
Previous winners:
2025/2026: Elisa van Dijk en Mohamed Abdalla
2024/2025: Sean Steur
2023/2024: Lucas Jetten
2022/2023: Jorrel Hato
2021/2022: Charlie Setford
2020/2021: Amourricho van Axel Dongen
2019/2020: Devyne Rensch
2018/2019: Naci Ünüvar
2017/2018: Ryan Gravenberch
2016/2017: Justin Kluivert
2015/2016: Matthijs de Ligt
2014/2015: Donny van de Beek
2013/2014: Aschraf El Mahdioui
2012/2013: Damon Mirani
2011/2012: Mickey van der Hart
2010/2011: Davy Klaassen
2009/2010: Christian Eriksen
2008/2009: Aras Özbiliz
2007/2008: Daley Blind
2006/2007: Siem de Jong
2005/2006: Donovan Slijngard
2004/2005: Murat Yildirim
2003/2004: Hedwiges Maduro
2002/2003: Kenneth Vermeer
2001/2002: Wesley Sneijder
2000/2001: John Heitinga
1999/2000: Rafael van der Vaart
