Manuel Neuer voted German Footballer of the Year

Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was on Sunday named German Footballer of the Year by the domestic sports media.


Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer reacts as he arrives for a training session Photo: Reuters

Neuer, who joined Bayern from Schalke 04 earlier this summer, came top of the annual poll run by sports magazine kicker and became the first goalkeeper since Oliver Kahn 10 years ago to win the award.

The 25-year-old had remarkable performances in several Bundesliga games and was a key player in Schalke's run to the DFB-Pokal title and Champions League semi-final berth.

Neuer garnered 210 votes from the German sports media, twenty votes more than the second placed Mario Gómez of Bayern, who topped the league scoring list last season.

Turkey midfielder Nuri Şahin from Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund, who has since left for Real Madrid, placed third with 142 votes.

"This is a huge honour," Neuer told kicker.

"When I was first told, I thought someone was pulling my leg. I'm totally shocked, especially because it's not every day a goalkeeper wins the award."

Neuer will be presented with the award at the Allianz Arena ahead of Bayern's opening Bundesliga fixture of the season against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sunday.

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