German youngster Florian Wirtz clinches Men's Footballer of the Year accolade in Germany
Germany's football scene celebrated the culmination of the 2024-25 season with the announcement of the Footballer of the Year awards. In a remarkable turn of events, Florian Wirtz was named the men's Footballer of the Year, while the women's award was shared equally by Giulia Gwinn and Ann-Katrin Berger.
Florian Wirtz, who recently joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen, impressed with his performance throughout the season. He scored an impressive 16 goals and contributed 15 assists across all competitions, earning him 191 votes in the poll conducted by Kicker magazine among German sports journalists.
In the women's category, the votes were evenly split between Giulia Gwinn and Ann-Katrin Berger, each receiving 145 votes. Despite Giulia Gwinn suffering a tournament-ending injury during Germany's opening match of the Women's European Championship, her impact on the team was undeniable.
Ann-Katrin Berger, who was also named in the Team of the Tournament at the Women's European Championship, made numerous outstanding saves throughout the tournament. Her performances helped Germany reach the semifinals, and she also led her National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) side, Gotham, to the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Giulia Gwinn's injury was a significant blow to the team, but they managed to push through and reach the semifinals. Her teammate, Ann-Katrin Berger, played a crucial role in their run.
Julian Schuster, coach of Freiburg, was voted Coach of the Year, leading his team to the Europa League in his first year in charge. Thomas Müller, who recently joined MSL side the Vancouver Whitecaps after an illustrious career at Bayern, received 81 votes for the men's Footballer of the Year award.
A total of 633 members of the VDS cast votes for all awards, reflecting the wide-ranging influence and impact of these exceptional athletes on the German football scene. The fee for Florian Wirtz's transfer to Liverpool could climb to £116 million (€134 million; $156 million), making him one of the most expensive young players in the world.
This year's Footballer of the Year awards serve as a testament to the talent and dedication of these athletes, and their contributions to German football will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
[1] [Kicker Magazine Poll Results](http://www.kicker.de/news/fu%C3%B6ball/deutschland/deutschland-fu%C3%B6baller-des-jahres-2024-2025-ergebnisse-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100-100
[1] Florian Wirtz's impressive performances in the 2024-25 season earned him the prestigious title of Footballer of the Year in Germany, propelling him into the international spotlight.
[2] Not limited to the domestic circuit, Giulia Gwinn and Ann-Katrin Berger's exceptional performances were recognized in various European-leagues and tournaments, including the Women's European Championship.
[3] The Premier League, known for its global influence in sports, will welcome Florian Wirtz as he makes his debut following his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, adding another young talents to its already star-studded lineup.
