Footballer of the Year (Germany)

The "Footballer of the Year" (German: Fußballer des Jahres) is an annual award presented to the best German football player of the year. It is awarded jointly by the German sports magazine kicker and the Association of German Sports Journalists (Verband Deutscher Sportjournalisten). The award has been presented since 1960.

Eligibility for the award is limited to German players. From 1996 to 2004, foreign players playing in the Bundesliga were also eligible.

The voting is conducted among members of the Association of German Sports Journalists. Voters choose the player they believe to have performed the best over the past year, considering performances in domestic league and cup competitions, as well as European and international competitions. The player with the most votes is declared the winner.

In 1996, a separate award, the "Female Footballer of the Year" (Fußballerin des Jahres), was introduced for the best female German football player.

The "Footballer of the Year" award is considered a prestigious individual honor in German football, recognizing exceptional skill, performance, and contribution to the sport.