Isaias wins The Advertiser/Channel 7 Golden Boots in final season before departing Adelaide United

Departing Adelaide United captain Isaias has signed off in style, becoming just the second player to win The Advertiser/Channel 7 Golden Boots on three occasions.

Adelaide United captain Isaias at Coopers Stadium. Picture Sarah Reed

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Isaias’ reaction to another personal accolade in his brilliant farewell campaign sums up the team-first attitude that made him Adelaide United’s ultimate fan-favourite.

The departing Reds skipper claimed his third-straight The Advertiser/Channel 7 Golden Boots award to become just the second player in history to win a hat-trick of gongs.

While typically humbled by the honour, Isaias’ post-season thoughts remained fixed on having a penalty saved during United’s semi-final shootout loss to Perth Glory.

“It’s a fantastic award and for me to win this again is something that makes me even prouder,” said Isaias, ahead of his move to a Qatari club.

“But to be honest, I still have nightmares about the penalties.

“Every night before I go to sleep, I cannot stop watching the penalties again and again (in his head).

Hopefully I will forget it soon.”

Isaias’ spot kick miss did nothing to overshadow his influential summer, as he led the Reds to a top-four A-League finish and the club’s second FFA Cup.

The Spanish-born midfielder polled 98 votes during Adelaide’s 27 regular season games to claim the 43rd edition of Australia’s longest-running domestic soccer prize.

He joined Adelaide City legend Sergio Melta (1984, 1988-89) as the only individual to collect the award on three occasions.

Isaias edged out teammates Craig Goodwin (81 votes), Ben Halloran (62), Mirko Boland (38), Michael Jakobsen and Scott Galloway (both 30) to claim the honour.

He received a medal and $5000 from The Advertiser and Channel 7.

“I’m surprised to get this award again, because we have fantastic players and they played a great season,” said Isaias, who also won his fourth club champion.

Isaias has become just the second player to win The Advertiser/Channel 7 Golden Boots on three occasions. Picture: AAP Image/James Elsby

“I have always been consistent in my six seasons in Adelaide and one of the keys for me is to always be in a position to help the team.

“But I would change my personal awards just for Adelaide United to have got to another grand final.

“I wanted to give to the city and to the club all the things they have given to me.”

Isaias played every minute of the Reds’ league season and scored a career-high four goals from his holding position.

He credited his continued progress to German coach Marco Kurz, who had also left the club.

“He’s a fantastic coach and he brings the best out of every single player, because he pushed you so hard in every training and every game,” Isaias, 32, said.

“He always makes sure everyone gives 100 per cent.

“Every single day I try to learn something from someone else, especially from Marco because he had been a player in very good leagues around the world.”