Ricardo Credits Fans, Players & Staff Following Awards Brace

- Ricardo Pereira says hard work has been key to his impressive debut season at Leicester City
- The Portugal international was named Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season on Tuesday
- The 2018/19 End of Season Dinner Awards was held in aid of The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation

The Portugal international full-back earned recognition from both the Club’s fans and his team-mates at the End of Season Dinner Awards at King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.

His fine displays a right-back, as well as his contributions going forward, have seen him earn plenty of plaudits in 2018/19, and he was rewarded during a special evening that paid tribute to the Club’s late Chairman, Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.  

“It’s always good to get rewarded for your performance over the year and this is my first year, so it’s even better,” Ricardo told LCFC TV. “I want to thank all the players, staff and supporters too. 

“Coming to one of the most difficult championships in Europe or even in the world, you never know what to expect. There’s a lot of players that come here and have some difficulty in the beginning, I know I was prepared for that too, but it’s been better than I expected! 

“That’s one of the reasons I work so much and have been working since I was a kid to arrive here to do my best and to perform well and give pleasure to the fans and to me because it’s a game to enjoy and for my family too.”

Voted as City’s best player of 2018/19 by his colleagues, Ricardo underlined his awards pride following a brilliant maiden campaign in England.

“It’s a little bit different to the Player of the Season because that’s only in games and training is important too,” said Ricardo of his Players’ Player of the Season accolade.

“If you train well you will play well and that’s another reward I’m grateful for. We have a lot of good players in our team and it’s a pleasure to be the Player of the Season for the players.”