Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez has been announced as The Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year for 2016.
The Algerian has recorded 11 assists and 17 goals for The Foxes this season, having made 34 appearances in the Premier League.
It is an incredible achievement for the winger as he got the edge over notable players such as Mesut Ozil and Harry Kane. Fellow teammates Jamie Vardy and N’Golo Kante and West Ham’s free-kick specialist, Dimitri Payet were also fighting for the prestigious award.
Congratulations to the Men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year…@Mahrez22!! #PFAawards pic.twitter.com/Qgiemul8rB
— Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) April 24, 2016
“All the credit is for them, seriously, and for my manager and the staff. Without them I wouldn’t receive this award and I wouldn’t score. It’s the team spirit, and I want to dedicate it to them,” Mahrez said, as quoted by Reuters.
“It’s extra special because if the players vote for me it’s because they’ve seen I’ve been great this year so I’m happy.
“Without my team mates I wouldn’t get this award,” he proclaimed.
Mahrez also created history as he became the first African player to receive the hard-earned award.
“It’s an honour to be the first African – not the best but the first,” Mahrez added.
Meanwhile, 20-year old Dele Alli from Tottenham Hotspur was named PFA Young Player of the Year.
To commemorate Mahrez’s achievement, we’ve inserted a video clip below to show his best moments with Leicester City:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYp6hi-ICA0
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