Florian Wirtz has been voted Germany’s men’s Footballer of the Year for the first time after a standout 2024/25 season with Bayer Leverkusen.
Wirtz scored 16 goals and laid on 15 assists across 45 appearances for Leverkusen last season, prompting vast interest in his signature that Liverpool secured for £116 million.
Liverpool’s new No. 7 has already shown glimpses of why the club were convinced to make him the British record transfer, and his talent has been acknowledged in his native Germany.
The yearly vote, organised by German sports magazine kicker, saw Wirtz receive 191 votes, ahead of Bayern Munich‘s Michael Olise (81), Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade (71) and Thomas Muller (70).
Members of the Association of German Sports Journalists (VDS) participated in the vote for an award that has existed since 1960.
Upon receiving the award, Wirtz said: “I accept this award on behalf of all these people to whom I owe something along the way.
“I’m aware that at 22, I still have a lot of work ahead of me to live up to all the expectations that come with being named Footballer of the Year, among others.
“And I’ll continue to set those expectations for myself regardless.”
Last year’s winner Toni Kross was also asked to pass on his congratulations, and he hailed the 22-year-old and his decision to join Liverpool this summer.
“I have to say, I couldn’t imagine a better successor than you! You are a special player on so many levels,” Kroos said.
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“In my opinion, you did everything right with your move to Liverpool FC, and it underlines your mindset and conviction.”
Wirtz, alongside three Liverpool teammates, has also been named on the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist for the 2025 awards.
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