What does MVP mean? How do we decide who deserves the title? We focus on goals? On their defensive displays? On their contribution to the team running like clockwork? All criteria are subjective. There is an objective fact though: André Vieirinha’s substantial contribution to all of the above.

He said so right from the start: “I came here to win titles”. When push came to shove, he stepped forward. A leader, a trailblazer, a role model.

He was asked to play in defence and he complied. He also played in attack. He ran more than he could. He supported his team-mates in every possible way. He scored –he didn’t just poke the ball home, but netted some astonishing goals. He stamped his seal on tough encounters.

Luck abandoned him in Larissa. He overstretched in an effort to keep the ball in and suffered a cruciate ligament rupture. For the second time in his career.

This undeserved pain and adventure revealed his key role in the team, overwhelmingly acknowledged by friends and rivals. He starred in the league finale. With his knee heavily strapped, he went on the pitch for a short cameo and received a five-minute ovation. He hid his face in his shirt to erase the tears, after his daughter told him: “Get in and lift that trophy!” Milestone career moment, an invaluable recollection.

He celebrated that night as if there is no tomorrow. He was the first to lift the league trophy, he rode the open-deck bus around Thessaloniki and then left, in order to start his rehabilitation.

André Vieirinha wins the 11888 MVP of the Season for a second consecutive time and will be presented with the «Platon Foropoulos» trophy.

Visitors of paokfc.gr and users of PAOK FC Official App rewarded The Leader with 55,75% of the vote.

The Portuguese skipper faced tough competition though, as PAOK’s stellar season had many protagonists. José Ángel Crespo took second place, after proving he deserves being dubbed The Guarantee. The Goldkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis completes the podium.