Overview
- The honor was presented at the 43rd Deutscher Sportpresseball at Frankfurt’s Alte Oper before more than 1,000 guests.
- At Völler’s request, former DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach handed him the winged-horse trophy.
- In his remarks, Völler recalled dreaming only of playing for Kickers Offenbach, credited his talent to God, and urged humility and giving back.
- The accolade places him alongside past recipients such as Franz Beckenbauer, Boris Becker, Michael Schumacher, Katarina Witt, Lothar Matthäus, Heiner Brand, Uwe Seeler, Isabell Werth and Gerd Müller.
- Coverage highlights his career as Bundesliga top scorer with Werder Bremen, Champions League winner with Marseille, 47 goals in 90 caps for Germany, and a 2002 World Cup runner-up as team chief, with his current DFB deal extended to 2028 and some suggesting he could depart then.