Real Madrid start Gareth Bale has been named as Wales’ Player of the Year for a record fifth time.
The 25-year-old has played a key role in helping his country to the brink of qualification for the European Championships next summer – their first major tournament since 1958.
Wales need just one point from their two games against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Andorra this week to guarantee their place at the tournament which takes place in France.
Ahead of the games, the Wales players gathered for the awards ceremony hosted by the Football Association of Wales. Bale has picked up the Player of the Year Award for five of the past six seasons – and has now won the award more than any other player in his country’s history. Only Liverpool’s Joe Allen broke Bale’s run, winning the award in 2012.
Bale also picked up the Players’ Player of the Year and Fans’ Player of the Year awards.
Speaking after the ceremony, his national team boss Chris Coleman hailed his star player, saying: “Look at the last year and he’s scored some incredible goals for us. All the players have done fantastic, but in my book he deserves it because of what he’s done in this campaign.”
