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Christopher Nkunku
Photo:
RONNY HARTMANN / AFP
Christopher Nkunku is the first professional from RB Leipzig to be voted Germany's footballer of the year.
The 24-year-old Frenchman won the journalists' vote organized by "Kicker" with 134 votes, just ahead of world footballer Robert Lewandowski (128) and goalkeeper Kevin Trapp (65).
The best footballer of the 2021/2022 season is Lea Schüller from FC Bayern, thanks to 141 votes, ahead of Alexandra Popp (115) and Almuth Schult (68).
Christian Streich was voted coach of the year by the cup finalists SC Freiburg, as the "kicker" announced.
The election has been held since 1960.
Nkunkua came to the Saxons in the summer of 2019.
The striker succeeds Lewandowski, who had won the election in the two previous years as a guarantee of success for FC Bayern.
Nkunku, who lost with Leipzig in the Supercup against Bayern on Saturday evening (3:5), caused a stir nationally and internationally last season with 32 goals and 20 assists in 51 competitive games.
Bundesliga top scorer Schüller said she "didn't expect at all" to receive the award.
In a very successful year, she "planned more," added the 24-year-old, who had to serve a corona quarantine after the first game at the European Championships in England.
So Popp moved to her position in the top striker - and became the big German EM star.
In the national team, Schüller has 26 goals in 40 international matches.
“I scored 16 goals in the Bundesliga – as many as in recent years.
I actually wanted to do more this time.
That's what I intend to do next season," she said.
Flick and Klopp congratulate Streich
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Christian Streich
Photo:
IMAGO/Ulmer / IMAGO/ULMER press photo agency
Streich, who has led SC Freiburg to remarkable achievements for years, commented on his election victory cautiously as usual.
»My first thought: I'll get an award now - and everyone who works with me will not be named.
At the same time, I am aware of my many deficits, as an employee and colleague,” said the 57-year-old.
»It's certainly not fair that only I'm named.
I therefore accept the award on behalf of everyone in the association.«
The SC coach prevailed with 276 votes, well ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt's Europa League winner Oliver Glasner (133) and Cologne's Steffen Baumgart (65).
“Finally, I have to say, absolutely deserved.
Sometimes it takes a little longer before the actual quality is recognized,” said two-time world coach Jürgen Klopp (Liverpool).
National coach Hansi Flick congratulated Streich, who deserved “every honor”.
"He's an outstanding coach who achieves great things in Freiburg and I really appreciate him.
He is also an outstanding person who does not subordinate everything to success," said the 2020 election winner.
ngo/sid/dpa
