At the 34th Footballer of the Year Gala, Georginio Wijnaldum was awarded his Golden Shoe. The midfielder, who played the past four seasons at PSV, was named best player of the Eredivisie by the reporters of De Telegraaf last year and was therefore the shining center of the annual gala on Monday night. A crowning achievement for the season in which Wijnaldum led PSV to the title as captain.
Wijnaldum succeeds Van Bommel
Wijnaldum is the first PSV player since Mark van Bommel in 2005 to be named best player of the season. The midfielder, who visibly emotional received the Golden Shoe from the hands of Clarence Seedorf, succeeds Daley Blind, the defender whom PSV will face in the UEFA Champions League in two weeks. On behalf of PSV, the entire team was present along with head coach Phillip Cocu to attend the gala and awards ceremony. The gala is organized by De Telegraaf/Telesport in cooperation with De Vriendeloterij, KNVB Eredivisie CV and VVCS.
Georginio Wijnaldum was visibly emotional as he was presented with his award by Clarence Seedorf | © Pics United
Memphis also in the prizes
Besides the former captain, another (former) PSV player was in the prizes. Memphis, who like Wijnaldum left for England last summer, received the award for Top Scorer and Talent of the Year. Memphis scored 22 goals in thirty games last season. An achievement that earned him a stunning transfer. After the Footballer of the Year Gala, Memphis and Wijnaldum rejoined the Dutch national team preparing for the international matches against Iceland and Turkey.
Head coach Phillip Cocu presented the award to Memphis | © Pics United