Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has been named the PFA Player of the Year at a ceremony in London on Sunday evening. Kante, 26, wins the award after being on the shortlist of six last season when winning the Premier League title with Leicester City, before teammate Riyad Mahrez was eventually crowned. The France international edged out competition from Eden Hazard, winner of the award in 2014-15, Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur, Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. Kante had been the bookmakers’ heavy odds-on favourite for some time. Credited as the key signing to transform Chelsea from a team which finished 10th into Premier League leaders, his energy in the middle of the park has been the driving force. He has made more interceptions in the past two seasons than any other player. Advertisement Accepting the award at Grosvenor House, Kante said: “It’s a huge honour to be chosen by the other players. It’s really special to get this award. My first two seasons have been very beautiful. We have to finish well but so far it’s a very good season.” He is hoping to become the first player in the Pemier League era to win the title with different clubs in successive seasons. Mark Schwarzer did it the other way around with Chelsea and then Leicester last season, but his win with the Foxes doesn’t officially count as he didn’t qualify for a medal after making no appearances. Dele Alli picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year award, while Manchester City’s Lucy Bronze won the women’s player of the year award for the second time having also won it in 2014, and Birmingham’s Jess Carter topped the voting in the women’s young player category. Former England captain David Beckham received the PFA’s Merit award for his contribution to the game.

Lionel Messi produced another outrageous performance as Barcelona beat Real Madrid to move top of La Liga, scoring his 500th goal for the club in stoppage time to seal a 3-2 win.

Casemiro had opened the scoring for Madrid, but Messi equalised soon after, starting and finishing a move which left the home side’s defence dazzled.

Ivan Rakitic then edged Barca ahead before Sergio Ramos was dismissed for a two-footed challenge on Messi.

Ten-man Madrid got themselves back on level terms through substitute James Rodriguez, though, setting the stage for another historic Messi moment.

“Messi even makes a difference when he’s at home having dinner,” Barca coach Luis Enrique told beIN Sports after the game.

“He is the best player in the history of the game, and I have seen a lot of football and a lot of videos. He makes the difference and it’s a huge pleasure for all Cules to have him identify as one of us.”

Asked in a news conference afterwards if Messi was the sole difference in the game, Luis Enrique added: “Of course — that’s why he plays for Barca.

“Messi’s our best player. Just imagine, his 500th goal coming here, a winner in the 92nd minute at the Santiago Bernabeu. It’s very nice for Leo and it’s nice for everyone associated with Barca.

“He allowed us to have superiority in midfield, we wanted him on ball as often as possible. It was more difficult in the middle with lots of bodies in there, but he managed to do it for the first goal. It went as we’d hoped.”

The winning goal came with the last kick of the game and was the result of a surging run from Sergi Roberto — the hero against Paris Saint-Germain — from the right-back position into the final third.


“Sergi Roberto’s run was bestial in the last minute,” Luis Enrique wanted to point out. “Not just technically, but physically. There was good play from Andre [Gomes], too, and then the assist from Jordi [Alba], and a great goal from Leo.”

In the rush to praise Messi after the final whistle, there was a tweet from teammate Rafinha saying “I played with him” and midfielder Ivan Rakitic was also asked about the Argentine’s brilliance.

“Messi cannot surprise anyone,” the Croatian midfielder told reporters. “You can put him anywhere and he can hurt teams. We are really happy for the victory and for him, because we need him.”

The win means there is still all to play for for Barcelona. They were knocked out of the Champions League in midweek by Juventus and defeat in Madrid would have left them with a mountain to climb in La Liga.

Instead, the three points take them top — although they have played a game more than Madrid — and they also have a Copa del Rey final against Alaves to come in May.

“This season feels like five [seasons],” Luis Enrique said of his side’s up and down form. “So many things have happened: good things, not so good things, things I’ve already forgotten.

“Madrid’s second goal was a huge blow, but the players came back with their last breath. It was the happy ending we all wanted and I’m delighted with the performance, with how they battled until the last second.

“We are top now, but Madrid still have that game in hand. It will be tight and it will go right down to the wire, but we got the result we came here for.”