Riyad Mahrez has been crowned the BBC African Footballer of the Year 2016.
Fans from across the world voted for the Algeria and Leicester midfielder ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Andre Ayew, Sadio Mane and Yaya Toure.
Winger Mahrez, 25, told BBC Sport: "It means a lot, it's something big for African players so I am very happy, I am very proud.
"It's always good to receive awards and for African players it's a huge honour. To all the fans, thank you very much."
He added: "Also I want to thank the Algeria fans and dedicate this to them as well and for my family.
"I just have to carry on and keep going with my football and see what I can do."
The award caps an exceptional year for Mahrez, who had already won the English Premier League title and was voted Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.
It is further recognition for his outstanding form as Mahrez, whose family comes from the small town of El Khemis in Algeria, took the Premier League by storm.
He was a driving force in Leicester City's shock title triumph, scoring 17 goals and providing 11 assists as the Foxes pulled off what had been a 5,000-1 shot before the season.
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieiri was in attendance as Mahrez received his award and paid tribute to the winger.
"I want to see him continue as a fantastic player," the Italian told BBC Sport. " It's very important for us, for the team. He is improving every day.
"I don't speak about his quality. I speak about his sacrifice, he has fought for the team because it's very important for us to be together."
In May, Mahrez became the first African to be voted the best player in the league by his fellow professionals, only two years after he had joined Leicester from Le Havre for £400,000.
Mahrez has made a remarkable rise from playing street football as a youngster to shining in the company of some of the world's best footballers.
In 2016 he proved he can thrive at the highest level, scoring four goals in his first five games in the Champions League.
He has also excelled on the international stage. In five matches for Algeria he scored two goals and provided five assists, and helped them qualify for next month's Africa Cup of Nations.
His achievements have also been recognised by football's world governing body Fifa, who included him on its shortlist for Player of the Year - the only African among the 23 names.
Mahrez now joins a list of greats, including Abedi Pele, George Weah, Jay-Jay Okocha and Didier Drogba, to have won the BBC African Footballer of the year award.
http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/38210161

FTC

K

ok

Congrats to him

He beat Aubumeyang d king of goals Bullcrap

TINALETC3:
K

I just dey look you.

Congratulations to him..I really do enjoy him play...Lord locate me...

Riyad Mahrez. That boy can dribble past defenders even when they are armed.

Africans and sentiments... How did he beat aubemeyang?? Aubey With his constant goal records against big teams both in the league and across europe... Dudu mentality...

ok

I hope Moses wins it next year

Congrats Riyad Mahrez....in the other news congrats CR7...Although i wud av loved Antonio Griezmann to win it

Mahrez is a very good player for this year truly. His performance and contribution with the likes of Ngolo Kante, Drinkwater and Vardy in Leicester team helped deliver one of the most recognized trophy in the world to a team fighting for relegation in previous year. He is worth it than the rest listed.
Sadio Mane is currently having a good year as well as Aubameyang but without trophies to back their performance up, they dont stand a chance of being crowned.
Yaya Toure is out of it after his stellar performances in Man city but was recently frozen out of Pep Guardiola plan for the team makes him an unwanted cut in the list.

I Congratulate Mahrez as he wins the BBC award and the Glo African best as well, but i cant see him coming back next year to take it again

Aubemayeng deserves the award

a well deserved award.

Correctbro1:
Africans and sentiments... How did he beat aubemeyang?? Aubey With his constant goal records against big teams both in the league and across europe... Dudu mentality...

What sentiment are u talking abt??...Let Auba go and play for Hannover96 for a season and win BUNDESLIGA nd German player of the year...1st AFRICAN PFA NO BE PUFF-PUFF,,Moses won player of the month and u are dubbing him the next Messi already...Buhari nt our problem bt ppl lyk u,,y u no go vote AUBA??

Correctbro1:
Africans and sentiments... How did he beat aubemeyang?? Aubey With his constant goal records against big teams both in the league and across europe... Dudu mentality...

You funny shaa, Aubameyang won nothing, Mahrez was the best player in a Leicester team that won the Premier League with no stardust. More interestingly, they were playing in the Championship 3 seasons ago, and 2 seasons ago they narrowly escaped relegation.
Mahrez was also PFA player of the year, Aubameyang is not one in the Bundesliga
Mahrez is the 8th best player in the world according to Balon d'or rankings, Aubameyang is not.
Nawa for you oo

He deserve it..... Congrats

Well deserved

we deserved, congrat boy

well deserved, congrat boy

Well deserved. Intelligent player.

it was already his the others knew that

NeutralJUDGE:
What sentiment are u talking abt??...Let Auba go and play for Hannover96 for a season and win BUNDESLIGA nd German player of the year...1st AFRICAN PFA NO BE PUFF-PUFF,,Moses won player of the month and u are dubbing him the next Messi already...Buhari nt our problem bt ppl lyk u,,y u no go vote AUBA??

you are not ok bro,how is my opinion related to buhari?? All this wailers sef, i tire for u...

Hmmmm




Wait self, In this award are they try to ignore musa's last season performance both home and away or i dont knw what i'm sayin



Well, CAF go soon come up with their own winner though

congrat to him

Y IS THIS AWARD ALWAYS WON BY PLAYERS PLAYING IN THE EPL? BBC NA EME IMA MMADU O (IM)