Riyad Mahrez PFA Player of the Year
The Foxes' wizard who became England's best player during the greatest title shock in history.
The PFA Players' Player of the Year award represents the highest individual accolade in English football, voted for by fellow professionals across the league. For Leicester City, Riyad Mahrez's receipt of this honour in May 2016 stands as a singular moment where the club's greatest underdog story was crowned with its most prestigious personal trophy. It validated the team's miraculous Premier League title win and cemented Mahrez's status not just as a club legend, but as the best player in England.
- Player
- Riyad Mahrez
- Award
- PFA Players' Player of the Year
- Season
- 2015–16
- Club
- Leicester City
- Significance
- First Leicester player to win
- Context
- Premier League Champions
Lore & Background
Mahrez's victory was historic because it marked the first time a player from Leicester City had ever been voted the best in England by his peers. It symbolized a shift in perception; no longer were they seen as plucky underdogs, but as a team built around world-class talent. The award remains a touchstone of the 'Miracle of 2016', reminding fans that their club can produce players who dominate the entire league.
In Their Own Story
The roar of the King Power Stadium had barely settled when the news broke in London. Mahrez stood alone for a moment, the weight of the award feeling heavier than any trophy lift, yet lighter than the burden of expectation he carried all season. He looked at the kit draped over his shoulder, the blue and white stripes representing a city that believed when no one else did. In that quiet room, surrounded by the press, it wasn't just about being the best player in England; it was proof that magic could be real.
Reader's Guide
The 2015–16 season remains Leicester City's crowning achievement, culminating in their first-ever Premier League title. Riyad Mahrez was instrumental in this run, finishing as the league's top scorer alongside Jamie Vardy and providing crucial assists throughout the campaign. His PFA Players' Player of the Year award is a unique record for the club, standing alone as the only time a Leicester player has received this specific honour. Beyond individual accolades, the season established several enduring club records. The 50-point title win remains one of the lowest point totals to ever secure the league championship, highlighting the unprecedented nature of their success. The team also set a record for the most points gained from losing positions in a single campaign. While Leicester has since competed for European spots and won the FA Cup in 2021, the 2016 title and Mahrez's subsequent individual recognition remain the pinnacle of the club's modern history.
Did You Know?
- Riyad Mahrez is the only player in Leicester City's history to win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award.
- Mahrez won the award alongside his teammate Jamie Vardy, who also received major individual recognition that season.
- Mahrez's performance in this season included a record-breaking assist tally for a winger in a title-winning campaign.
More in Honours & Records
Elsewhere in the Leicester City universe
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