Bayern star Jérôme Boateng was presented with the German Footballer of the Year trophy ahead of the champions’ opening Bundesliga game of the season against Werder Bremen. The 27-year-old central defender was presented with the award on Friday evening at the Allianz Arena by the editor of kicker magazine, which conducts a poll among German football journalists. Boateng was the clear winner ahead of team-mates Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski. “Of course I’m very proud to win an award like this,” said Boateng.
Golden Girls and an old hand
There was also reason to celebrate ahead of kick-off for five of FC Bayern Women’s Olympic gold medallists as well as stadium announcer Stephan Lehmann. The Golden Girls were handed bouquets of flowers by FCB chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Lehmann is celebrating his 20-year anniversary with the stadium microphone and received a vintage Bayern shirt from his first season as the announcer in 1996/97 as a thank-you for his work.
Minute’s silence before kick-off
Before the first Bundesliga match of the season, there was silence around the Allianz Arena. The teams lined up behind the centre-circle and spectators rose from their seats to share a minute’s thought for the victims of the earthquake in Italy, which has seen at least 278 people lose their lives. The players also wore black armbands.
Topics of this article