Riyad Mahrez wins PFA Player of the Year 2016 award following stunning campaign with Premier League leaders Leicester City
- Riyad Mahrez was named as PFA Player of the Year at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Sunday night
- The Algeria international has scored 17 goals in the Premier League so far for Premier League leaders Leicester City
- Mahrez beat N'Golo Kante, Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane, Dimitri Payet and Mesut Ozil to the coveted gong
- Dele Alli was crowned as the PFA Young Player of the Year after a stellar breakthrough campaign at Tottenham
- Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs received the PFA Merit award following a glittering career
Leicester City's fairytale season continues to be acknowledged as Riyad Mahrez collected the PFA Player of the Year award on Sunday.
Mahrez is enjoying a wonderful season for the Premier League leaders - having scored 17 goals and 11 assists in the top flight so far this season.
The Algeria international has played an integral role for the champions-elect Foxes and was duly rewarded with the top individual award of the night at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.
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Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez has been named as the 2016 PFA Player of the Year award after a glorious campaign
Mahrez poses with the PFA Player of the Year alongside Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri (left)
Mahrez said he was 'grateful' for the award adding that it was a 'pleasure' after collecting the prestigious gong
The room at the Grosvenor House hotel in London stood to congratulate the man crowned as the country's best footballer of the year
Mahrez scored his 17th Premier League goal of the season with this strike against Swansea during their 4-0 victory earlier on Sunday
The Algerian slides on his knees in celebration as Claudio Ranieri's side got off to the perfect start after just 10 minutes against Swansea
Claudio Ranieri's side need just five points from their remaining three games to be crowned champions of England for the first time in their history.
Mahrez was on the scoresheet earlier on Sunday as the King Power Stadium outfit thumped Swansea 4-0 in the Premier League, and was flown down by helicopter after the game to the London ceremony.
The forward beat Leicester team-mates Jamie Vardy and N'Golo Kante to the award as well as Tottenham stiker Harry Kane, Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil and West Ham revelation Dimitri Payet.
Vardy came second in the voting, while Kane was third. The Leicester striker also collected a special award for his record-breaking streak of scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League matches.
'All the credit is for them, seriously,' Mahrez said as he dedicated his success to his Leicester team-mates.
'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.
'I'm very grateful to receive this award, it's a pleasure. 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.
'But it's more team things. Without my team-mates I wouldn't get this award.'
Mahrez has been instrumental in his team's remarkable rise and he now joins a glittering list of former winners that includes Kenny Dalglish, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Some bookmakers had Leicester at 5000/1 to be crowned champions at the start of the season, but, with three games left, they stand on the brink of arguably the greatest shock in English football history.
'The secret has been team spirit,' Mahrez added.
'We work so hard for each other. We are like brothers, it's everywhere on the pitch. That's our strength.
'If sometimes we are not good, we know we are going to run and make the effort for our team-mates. That is the secret of our success.'
Mahrez dedicated his award to his Leicester team-mates - including Robert Huth (left), Wes Morgan (centre) and Kasper Schmeichel
Foxes goalkeeper Schmeichel was in a relaxed mood as he made his way to the Grosevnor Hotel in London on Sunday
Jamie Vardy (right) was presented with a commemorative plate in recognition of his consecutive goalscoring record earlier this season
Vardy's plate includes the 11 crests of the clubs he scored against in his record-breaking run, as well as the badge of Leicester
English singer-songwriter Jake Bugg performed on stage as part of the entertainment during Sunday's presentation
As did rapper Tinie Tempah during the annual ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Sunday night
The 25-year-old is only the second winner of the PFA award from outside Europe. Uruguay striker Luis Suarez won it in 2014 while playing for Liverpool.
Unlike Suarez, Mahrez was an unknown when he moved to England two years ago, joining Leicester from second tier French side Le Havre for less than £500,000.
On Thursday, it was announced that Mahrez was named among a four-man midfield by the PFA as they revealed their 2016 Team of the Year.
Elsewhere, Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has been crowned with this season's PFA Young Player of the Year award.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a wonderful breakthrough campaign with Spurs as they sit second in the Premier League table.
Alli has scored 10 goals and provided a further nine assists for Mauricio Pochettino's side.
The England international beat Everton duo Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku, Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland, Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho and Tottenham team-mate Kane to the award.
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has been named this season's PFA Young Player of the Year after a wonderful breakthrough term
The Tottenham starlet (right) has scored 10 goals in his debut season - including this strike at Stoke on April 18
Meanwhile, Ryan Giggs joined a long line of Manchester United greats by winning the PFA Merit Award on Sunday.
The former United winger followed in the footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Bobby Charlton in picking up the prize, which is given for 'meritorious service to football'.
Giggs made a club record 963 appearances for the Red Devils and remains the most decorated player in the English game, having won 13 league titles, four FA Cups and two Champions League crowns during a glittering career.
Now assistant manager to Louis van Gaal, winning the PFA Merit award completes the set for Giggs, who was named Player of the Year in 2009 and Young Player of the Year in both 1992 and 1993.
Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs has been accoladed with the PFA Merit Award
Giggs stands alongside Paul McGrath after being named the PFA Young Player of the Year in 1993
After an impressive 2008-09 campaign, the former midfielder was also named PFA Player of the Year
England manager Roy Hodgson (left) was among the famous footballing faces at the Grosvenor Hotel
(Left to right) Hodgson, Martin O'Neill, Chris Coleman and Michael O'Neill pose with commemorative plates after reaching Euro 2016
The quartet speak to presenter Manish Bhasin (right) during Sunday's PFA Awards ceremony on Sunday night
Manchester City's Izzy Christiansen poses after winning the PFA Women's player of the Year award
Sunderland Ladies' Beth Mead poses after winning the PFA Young Women's player of the Year award
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