Riyad Mahrez wins African Player of the Year 2016

The Algerian star beat Sadio Mane to win the award honoring the best individual of the year in African football, voted by BBC.

Mahrez came first in a vote with four other strong candidates including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon, playing for Dortmund), Sadio Mane (Senegal, Southampton and Liverpool), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast, Man City) and Andre Ayew (Ghana, Swansea and West Ham).

"This title is really meaningful, it's something really big, an honor for African players. I'm very happy and proud. I want to thank the fans, thank everyone for choosing me," he said.

"I also want to thank the fans in Algeria, dedicate this award to them and to my family. My job now is to continue moving forward, with my football and see what more I can do," Mahrez continued.

Mahrez with the individual award honoring his contributions in 2016. Photo: AFP.

The results were collected by the BBC from votes from fans around the world. And this title helps Mahrez continue to reap success in the most brilliant 2016 since the beginning of his career.

Previously, with Leicester City, Mahrez won the Premier League, received the Player of the Season award, finished first in his first Champions League appearance, and finished seventh in the Ballon d'Or vote by France Football magazine.

Mahrez still has a chance to win another award in the African Ballon d'Or vote, organized by the Confederation of Continental Football (CAF). He is on the shortlist alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah (Roma) and Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon and Leicester).

Born into a poor Algerian family, Mahrez came to football with little fanfare until he burst onto the scene with Leicester City last season. The 25-year-old's 17 goals and 11 assists were instrumental in helping the Foxes to the Premier League title, despite being given odds of 5000/1 at the start.

Mahrez was praised for his decisive role in helping Leicester win the Premier League last season.

In the 2016-2017 season, despite being somewhat quiet in the Premier League following the decline of Leicester City, Mahrez was still a star when his team competed in the Champions League for the first time. This midfielder scored four goals, contributing greatly to Leicester's ticket to the knockout round as the group leader.

At the national team level, Mahrez also played well in 2016. He played five matches, scored two goals and had five assists, helping Algeria qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations, which starts next month.

"I want to see him continue to be a magical player," said coach Claudio Ranieri when he received the award from the BBC. "This title is very important for the team and Mahrez is improving every day."

According to VNE