Two VfB strikers, Nick Woltemade, end up outperforming all other players in the competition.
Florian Wirtz Crowned Germany's Footballer of the Year
In a stunning display of talent and consistency, Florian Wirtz of Liverpool has been named Germany's Footballer of the Year for the 2024-25 season. The young midfielder received an impressive 191 votes from over 600 journalists, securing a comfortable lead in the Kicker poll.
Wirtz, who transferred to Liverpool for a significant fee this summer, was a standout performer for Bayer Leverkusen last season. He scored an impressive 16 goals and provided 15 assists in all competitions, earning him the title of Leverkusen's top scorer with 24 points. His form did not go unnoticed at the international level either, as he scored two goals in five appearances for Germany at Euro 2024.
Michael Olise of FC Bayern Munich came in second place with 81 votes, while Nick Woltemade of VfB Stuttgart finished third with 71 votes. Notable mentions in the poll include Thomas Müller, who received 70 votes before moving to Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS after a long career at Bayern Munich.
The award was not without its surprises. DFB captain Giulia Gwinn and national goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger tied for first place in the voting for Footballer of the Year. Gwinn, who has over 730,000 followers on Instagram, more than any other German national player, won her first Footballer of the Year award. Berger, who was also named the best goalkeeper in the US NWSL, won her second Footballer of the Year award.
Meanwhile, Julian Schuster was named Coach of the Year for SC Freiburg. In his first season with the club, Schuster led the team to qualification for the Europa League. His appointment filled the void left by Streich and was a significant factor in Freiburg's success last season.
Horst Steffen missed out on promotion to the Bundesliga with SV Elversberg and then joined Werder Bremen. Despite the setback, Steffen will be looking to make an impact at his new club and continue his career in the top flight of German football.
Gwinn, who won the championship and cup with FC Bayern before the Euro 2022, had a disappointing start to the tournament after injuring her knee early in the opening match. However, she will be looking to bounce back and continue her impressive form for both club and country.
In other news, Schuster beat Hansi Flick for Coach of the Year, while Ann-Katrin Berger was also named the best goalkeeper in the US NWSL. Giulia Gwinn's biography, titled "Write your own story", has also made headlines, offering an insight into the life and career of one of Germany's most promising young footballers.
Overall, the 2024-25 season was a memorable one for German football, with a host of talented players and coaches making their mark on the game. As we look forward to the next season, there is no doubt that Wirtz, Gwinn, Berger, and Schuster will continue to be at the forefront of German football.
In the world of sports-analysis, Florian Wirtz's exceptional performance earned him the title of Germany's Footballer of the Year for the 2024-25 season, surpassing his peers Michael Olise and Nick Woltemade. Meanwhile, in a surprising twist, Giulia Gwinn and Ann-Katrin Berger were tied for Footballer of the Year, highlighting the growing prominence of women's sports in Germany.
