Zürich | Wirtz and Kroos nominated for World Football Choice

Zurich (dpa) – Florian Wirtz and Toni Kroos nominated for World Footballer of the Year. Wirtz, 21, from Leverkusen and 34-year-old Kroos, who ended his successful career this summer after the European Championship, have been shortlisted along with nine other professionals for an award from world association FIFA.

The football player of the world is chosen by the national coaches, captains of the national teams, journalists and fans around the world. Voting will take place until December 10, 11:59 pm. It is not clear when the award will be given; the deadline was in January. Wirtz and Kroos are not among the favorites. Until now, Lothar Matthäus was the only German FIFA world football player in 1991.

Wieder Streit wegen Rodri and Vinícius Júnior?

According to the rules, the performances shown by the players from August 21, 2023 to August 10, 2024 were taken into account for the pre-selection by a committee of experts. Also named are Spain’s European champions Rodri, who has already won the Ballon d’Or, Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal, as well as record scorer and defending champion Lionel Messi. The Brazilian Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid has also been named – his loss in the Ballon d’Or election against Rodri caused great anger among the royal team.

When it comes to female soccer players, there are no German players in the list of the 16 best professionals, but the national goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger can hope to be named the Goalkeeper of the Year the Universe. When choosing the best coach of the men’s team, Leverkusen’s double winner Xabi Alonso is on the list of nominees.