Manuel Neuer named Footballer of the Year

Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer has been voted Footballer of the Year by German football writers. In the prestigious annual poll, Neuer finished on 144 votes and just beat off Marco Reus (135) and FCB team-mate Thomas Müller (105). The 28-year-old succeeds Bastian Schweinsteiger as the award holder and wins it for the second time after a previous success in 2011.

“It’s a great honour for me,” Neuer told kicker magazine, organiser of the annual award. “I didn’t expect this, although I’m obviously aware I’ve played well. It’s an award that stays with you through your life, and if you’re named Footballer of the Year for a season when you’ve also won the league, the cup and especially the World Cup, it makes it even more valuable.”

Neuer joined Bayern from Schalke for the 2011/12 season and has made a significant contribution to FCB’s success since then, in the Bundesliga and DFB Cup (both 2013 and 2014), and in the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup (all 2013). The 28-year-old was named World’s Best Keeper in January 2014, before the crowning glory of his career to date in July when Germany won the World Cup in Brazil and Neuer was awarded the Golden Glove as best keeper at the tournament.