Riyad Mahrez dedicated the PFA Player of the Year award to all his "brothers" in the Leicester City team.
Mahrez was presented with the prestigious trophy at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Sunday after contributing 17 goals and 11 assists to Leicester’s fairy-tale campaign.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli won the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
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Mahrez was flown down by helicopter to the ceremony from the King Power Stadium, where Claudio Ranieri's side had earlier thrashed Swansea City 4-0 to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
The Algerian held off competition from Dimitri Payet, Harry Kane, Mesut Ozil and fellow Leicester men Jamie Vardy and N’Golo Kante to win, but dedicated the success to his teammates.
“All the credit is for them, seriously,” Mahrez said.
“And for my manager and the staff. Without them I wouldn’t receive this award and I wouldn’t score. It’s the team spirit, and I want to dedicate it to them.
“I’m very grateful to receive this award, it’s a pleasure. It’s extra special because if the players vote for me it’s because they’ve seen I’ve been great this year so I’m happy.
“But it’s more team things. Without my teammates I wouldn’t get this award.”
Mahrez has been instrumental in his team’s remarkable rise and he now joins a glittering list of former winners that includes Kenny Dalglish, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Leicester were among the teams predicted to be relegated at the start of the season at the start of the season, but, with three games left, they stand on the brink of arguably the greatest shock in English football history.
“The secret has been team spirit,” Mahrez said.
“We work so hard for each other. We are like brothers, it’s everywhere on the pitch. That’s our strength.
“If sometimes we are not good, we know we are going to run and make the effort for our teammates. That is the secret of our success.”
Alli was named the PFA Young Player of the Year after registering 10 goals and 12 assists in his debut campaign in the Premier League.
The 20-year-old midfielder beat teammate Harry Kane to the prize, as well as Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland, Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho and Everton duo Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley.
Alli was unable to collect the award in person, with Spurs hosting West Bromwich Albion on Monday, but Ossie Ardiles picked it up on his behalf.
Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Izzy Christiansen won the PFA Women’s Player of the Year award, Sunderland forward Beth Mead took the Women’s Young Player of the Year award and Ryan Giggs was handed the PFA Merit award.
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