Kompany completes clean sweep
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Article summary
RSC Anderlecht defender Vincent Kompany has won a hat-trick of awards in Belgium, including Player of the Year.
Article body
Peer praise
Players from the country's top two divisions nominated the 19-year-old for the prestigious award ahead of his club colleague Christian Wilhelmsson, the Sweden midfield player, and Club Brugge KV captain Timmy Simons, the winner in 2003. Kompany succeeds team-mate Aruna Dindane following his victory last year.
Two more prizes
The Belgian international also retained his Young Player of the Year prize and completed an impressive hat-trick by being voted the country's leading player by fans in Belgium. Despite this triumph, Kompany reflected on his disappointment at seeing Anderlecht concede the title to Club Brugge.
Bittersweet night
"I would rather have won the championship than these trophies," Kompany said. "Especially as I cannot yet fully appreciate them - that will only happen after I retire and have children. But the award for best player is an especially pleasant surprise for me as I have not played for that long."
Other honours
Midfield player Pär Zetterberg, another of Kompany's Swedish team-mates, received the Fair Play trophy, while Silvio Proto from RAA Louviéroise took the goalkeeping honour. Trond Sollied of Club Brugge was named best coach, while Paul Allaerts collected the award for top referee.