KUALA LUMPUR: The award came just in time for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) midfielder Natxo Insa.
Twenty four hours before tomorrow’s Malaysia Cup final against Kedah, he won the PFAM-asiana.my Super League Best Player of the Month for September.
It serves as the perfect booster for him to help JDT win the final and end their Malaysia Cup drought as the club have never won the trophy since their formation in 2013.
The Spain-born footballer, who received his Malaysian citizenship in July, said the award makes him feel appreciated.
Insa said it will keep him fired up for the final though admitting he is feeling tired after having played in 55 competitive matches this season.
“This is my first award since playing in Malaysia. I hope to get plenty more experience with the club and hopefully it’s going to be a successful campaign next year too,” he said during the award ceremony today.
“For me, the award is an honour as it is given by the fans and football observers. It is, thanks to the labour of my teammates who have helped me,” said Insa who used to play for Spanish club Levante.
The nominees for the Professional Football Association of Malaysia (PFAM) award were selected with the collaboration of asiana.my-All Sports Images and News Agency.
Insa gained the highest votes at 74.53 per cent (10,662 votes). The votes were made online via PFAM’s official website www.pfam.my and also through www.asiana.my
The voting percentage for the other nominees: Marko Mic of Melaka United (29.95 per cent), Felda United’s Thiago Augusto (9.85 per cent), Matheus Alves of Pahang FA (7.18 per cent), and Felda United’s Wan Zack Haikal Wan Noor (6.92 per cent).
Insa received RM1,500 in cash (sponsored by 139 associates and MVP Sports Agency), trophy (Ideasia), sports equipment voucher worth RM500 (Kobert) and a framed photo of the recipient (Asiana.my).