The title Footballer of the Year (German: Fußballer des Jahres) has been awarded in Germany since 1960.
[1] In 1996, the title Women's Footballer of the Year (German: Fußballerin des Jahres) was awarded for the first time.
[2] Both awards are determined by a poll of German football journalists from the Association of German Sports Journalists (Verband Deutscher Sportjournalisten) and the publication kicker.
[3] The current titleholders are Toni Kroos of Real Madrid and Ann-Katrin Berger of NJ/NY Gotham FC.
[4][5] In 2004, Brazilian Aílton became the first foreign player to attain the honour.