Sometimes, a player’s journey hits a sweet spot, a moment where hard work truly shines. For Dylan Collard, that moment arrived with the August Defender of the Month award for the Liga Portugal 2. He accepted the honor just before packing his bags, ready to join his Mauritius teammates for critical international matches against formidable Cameroon and Libya. It was clear: his excellent club form was getting noticed, both at home and abroad.
The 25-year-old central defender, a rock for Lusitânia de Lourosa, shared his excitement. “This feels incredibly good,” Collard explained, his words echoing a drive for even greater achievements. “Getting recognized this way isn’t just about me. It shows what we can do together – the hard work of every player, the coaching staff, and especially our amazing fans. This award just lights a fire in me; I want to go out and win even more.” His words paint a picture of gratitude and fierce ambition, recognizing that individual glory often comes from a collective spirit.
It’s not hard to see why Collard stood out. He’s a true giant on the pitch, standing at an imposing 2.01 meters. But he’s much more than just size; he’s a scoring machine from the backline. In August alone, he found the net in three straight games, dazzling against Chaves, Benfica B, and Felgueiras. This made him a dangerous weapon on set pieces for coach Pedro Miguel’s squad, turning defensive duties into offensive opportunities.
His dominance in the category was clear. Collard swept 28.89 percent of the votes, leaving his closest rivals well behind. Bruno Rodrigues from Chaves secured 11.11 percent, while Ntamon Elie of Torreense trailed with 6.67 percent. The head coaches of the Liga Meu Super teams cast their ballots, and they saw something special in Collard’s August performances.