German football prodigy Florian Wirtz claimed the Men's Footballer of the Year accolade in Germany.
In a celebrated ceremony, Florian Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen was announced as the winner of Germany's Footballer of the Year award for the 2024-25 season. The 22-year-old striker, who recently transferred to Liverpool, received 191 votes in a poll conducted by Kicker magazine involving over 600 members of the Association of German Sports Journalists (VDS).
The women's Footballer of the Year award for 2024-25 was a tie, with both Giulia Gwinn and Ann-Katrin Berger receiving the same number of votes and sharing the accolade. Gwinn, despite a tournament-ending injury during the Women's European Championship, helped her team reach the semifinals. Berger, on the other hand, made numerous outstanding saves throughout the tournament and was named in the Team of the Tournament.
SC Freiburg's Julian Schuster was named Coach of the Year for leading his club to the Europa League in his first year in charge. Thomas Müller, after an illustrious career at Bayern Munich, recently joined MSL side the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Florian Wirtz's impressive performance last season, where he scored 16 goals and contributed 15 assists across all competitions, earned him a place on the 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist. The women's team's achievement in reaching the semifinals of the Women's European Championship, despite Gwinn's injury, was also a testament to their resilience and team spirit.
These awards, given annually since 1960 for men and since 1996 for women, are a significant recognition of the outstanding contributions made by these players and coaches to German football. The awards continue to inspire and motivate the next generation of footballers and coaches, setting a high standard for excellence.
International sports analysis has highlighted Florian Wirtz's successful season, with his performance in Europe's football leagues earning him a spot on the 2025 Ballon d’Or shortlist. Meanwhile, the resilience and team spirit showcased by the German women's football team, who reached the semifinals of the Women's European Championship despite an injury to key player Giulia Gwinn, has been commended at the European level.
