- Superstar footballer Ann-Katrin Berger, renowned for her Olympic victories, claims the title of Year's Best Footballer
Previously battling cancer and now recognized as Germany's Footballer of the Year, Ann-Katrin Berger made history as the first goalkeeper to receive this honor, surpassing Alexandra Popp. "I never thought this would happen and it took some time for me to fully grasp it. It's an amazing feeling," the 33-year-old from NJ/NY Gotham FC expressed. "It's not common for goalkeepers to win titles like this."
Gwinn and Oberdorf finish in second and third places
The only other goalkeeper to have received this award was Silke Rottenberg in 1998. Berger (144 votes) claimed second place, followed by Lena Oberdorf (66) who recently joined Bayern Munich from VfL Wolfsburg and missed out on the Olympics due to a knee injury.**
Berger was initially selected as the starting goalkeeper by interim national coach Horst Hrubesch for the Olympics, replacing Merle Frohms who had held the spot for a long time. She went on to deliver an incredible performance at the tournament, overcoming numerous challenges, including two bouts with thyroid cancer in recent years.**
"Anne is not just a strong goalkeeper, but also a remarkable individual who has faced numerous challenges and always bounced back," Hrubesch praised.
At the Olympics, Berger experienced her "happy ending": she saved two penalties in the quarterfinal shootout against Canada before scoring herself. In the bronze medal match against Spain, she saved a penalty from Alexia Putellas in the 9th minute of extra time, securing Germany's 1:0 victory and the bronze medal.**
Uncertainty over Wück's starting spot
"I just wanted to play football again. I knew I still had something to offer," said Berger. The former player for FC Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Turbine Potsdam combined her late recognition with a critique: "It's important to note – and I've experienced this myself – European clubs typically aren't interested in players who are 33 years old. Then you're apparently no longer good enough." But for goalkeepers, it's a completely different story.**
Despite her late rise, new coach Christian Wück has yet to determine the future starting goalkeeper. "For me, there are two number ones," said the 51-year-old at his presentation in Frankfurt.
Berger's victory as Footballer of the Year marked a significant moment for goalkeepers, as she became the second goalkeeper after Silke Rottenberg to receive this honor, both winning with '[Silk and other textile fabrics]' made from their nation's jerseys. Her remarkable performance at the Olympics, culminating in the save of a crucial penalty against Spain, further highlighted the importance of goalkeepers in securing victories for their teams.
