Mario Lemina has sent a lengthy and emotional message to Wolves fans, after they named him their Player of the Season.
The Gabon international was announced as the winner of the award, after Wolves lost their final home game of the season against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The midfielder beat the likes of Matheus Cunha, Hwang Hee-chan and Pedro Neto, and his win was massively deserved.
Lemina has featured heavily for Wolves this season, featuring 38 times across all competitions.
He’s been practically ever-present, at times playing unfamiliar positions when the team needed him to, and only missing out due to suspension and personal tragedy.
It has been a seriously big effort from the 30-year-old this term, and yesterday the player took to social media to address those who have acknowledged him…
Mario Lemina sends deeply emotional message after winning Supporters’ Player of the Season at Wolves
Lemina has been a complete warrior this season for Wolves.
He has featured in central midfield for the most part alongside his apprentice Joao Gomes, with the pair’s partnership going from strength to strength.
He was an absolute dominant force for Wolves in the first half of the season, and even chipped in with important goals against Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Brentford.
In recent weeks, Lemina has struggled a little to maintain his early-season form. Ex-Wolves full-back Andy Thompson noted last month that he had looked a bit ‘jaded’, while journalist Liam Keen stated that Lemina could barely stand when he was interviewing him after a game.
But he’s continued to run his socks off for the team, and that is part of the reason he is adored by the Molineux faithful.
And the feeling is mutual for Lemina, who sent a lovely 153-word message on Instagram on Monday night after his win at the weekend.
He said: “Deeply honored and grateful to have been elected Supporter’s Player of the Season. Your unwavering support is the driving force that inspires me on the pitch every match.🙏🏾”
“As many of you know, I suffered the loss of my father, my pillar of strength, I want to extend my gratitude to the entire staff for their support throughout the season. Their psychological and mental support has been invaluable, helping me to stay strong and focused on the pitch.
“I also want to thank my family and children for their unconditional love and support. Their presence has been my source of strength, enabling me to keep my head held high and maintain strength to perform on the field, despite the emotional difficulties faced.
“To my teammates, the staff, my family, and all the fans, thank you for standing by me through thick and thin. This award is as much yours as it is mine. 🧡”
A heroic season from Mario JR
Lemina totally deserves to be the Supporters’ Player of the Season.
There have been some top performers at Molineux this term. But the former Nice dynamo has largely just been therefore through everything, and always shown fantastic leadership.
He’s been all-action in that midfield and it’s little wonder he’s run out of steam a bit recently.
His message on Instagram is just brilliant and he totally gets what it means to play for Wolves.
To have performed to the levels he has, given he’s had to deal with such a horrible thing away from the pitch, is nothing short of remarkable. It is lovely to see Lemina acknowledging the support he received through it all, and Mario Sr would no doubt be extremely proud.