Sunday 28 April 2013

Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale named PFA Player of the Year and ... - Telegraph.co.uk

Tottenham star Bale was also just the fifth player to land the senior award twice, reclaiming it from last year's winner, Robin van Persie, following a vote among his peers.

Bale has taken his game to new heights this season, scoring 24 goals in 40 games for Spurs, almost single-handedly spearheading their bid to qualify for the Champions League.

The 23-year-old, who also won the PFA prize in 2011, has become one of the most sought-after players in world football and is now said to be worth around £50 million.

Thanking his team-mates and manager Andre Villas-Boas, Bale said: "It's a massive honour. To be voted by your peers is one of the biggest things in the game. It's great to win it and I am delighted.

"When you look at the list, there are some massive names on it but I couldn't have done it without the team. They have been fantastic this year and so has the manager.

"The other nominees have been unbelievable, they have been outstanding for their clubs and it's a massive moment to win, especially as it's both awards and it's something that I'm extremely proud of."

The Young Player of the Year prize saw Bale up against Hazard, the 2011 winner Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Romelu Lukaku and Christian Bentéké.

The only men previously to have won both awards in the same season were Andy Gray in 1977 and Cristiano Ronaldo six years ago, while only Ronaldo, Mark Hughes, Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry have claimed the senior prize twice.

Bale now has every chance of being the first player to win it three times but he said: "The biggest thing is playing for your team and going well. If you do well then these awards come along.

Recalling his most memorable goals this season, he added: "There are a few. The one against Norwich was one of my favourites, the West Ham one. Those two are my favourites from this season."

His record bears comparison with the likes of Van Persie — who scored 28 in his debut season at Manchester United to help them regain the Premier League title — and Suárez — who netted 30 for Liverpool prior to the 10-match biting ban that has ended his season.

Bale singled out both players for praise, saying: "They have been outstanding this season and it's been a great season for everyone to watch."

The six senior nominees also took their place in the Premier League Team of the Year, along with David De Gea, Pablo Zabaleta, Rio Ferdinand, Jan Vertonghen and Leighton Baines.

The inaugural Women's Award went to Arsenal Ladies and Scotland midfielder Kim Little, while the Merit award was given to former United youth-team coach Eric Harrison for helping bring through the so-called 'Fergie Fledglings' in the 1990s.

Via: Soccer Benfica Lisbon - Fenerbahce - Europa League

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