Aruna voted Belgium's finest

Good company 
The 23-year-old pipped team-mate Walter Baseggio and and R. Excelsior Mouscron striker Mbo Mpenza to the award, which was previously held by Club Brugge KV midfield player Timmy Simons. The prestigious prize is decided by a jury of sports journalists, ex-winners and football dignitaries.

More than delighted 
"This is fantastic - I am glad I came to Belgium," said an emotional Aruna. "Anderlecht have taken perfect care of me since I arrived four years ago. That is why I have kept on developing and this is the result of all that hard work."

High praise 
Belgium coach Aimé Anthuenis led the praise for Aruna, who scored two goals in four UEFA Champions League first group stage games. "Aruna has power, speed, flexibility and dribbling skills. The press always search for some negative aspects and his lack of goalscoring ability but Ryan Giggs, Luís Figo and Zinedine Zidane are also not really goalscorers."

Thys remembered 
As the awards were celebrating their 50th anniversary, the jury also voted on a 'platinum eleven' made up of past winners. Former Belgium coach Guy Thys, who died in 2003, was chosen as the man to lead this team of all-time greats.

Platinum eleven 
Goalkeeper: Jean-Marie Pfaff (1978);
Defenders: Erwin Vandendaele (1971), Eric Gerets (1982), Leo Clijsters (1988);
Midfielders: Wilfried Van Moer (1966, 1969, 1970), Enzo Scifo (1984), Pär Zetterberg (1993, 1997);
Attackers: Rik Coppens (1954), Paul Van Himst (1960, 1961, 1965, 1974), Jan Ceulemans (1980, 1985, 1968), Marc Degryse (1991).