Philipp Lahm has been elected German Footballer of the Year, two months after the former Germany and Bayern Munich captain ended his career.
Lahm, 33, won the poll conducted by sports magazine Kicker among German sports media with 242 votes ahead of Champions League and Spanish Liga winner Toni Kroos of Real Madrid (192 votes), Kicker said on Sunday.
Lahm retired in May after an eighth Bundesliga title from his career spent almost exclusively at Munich. He also won six German cups, the 2013 Champions League, and the 2014 World Cup with Germany.
"It is a big distinction. I am really pleased. I guess the sports journalists were looking at my entire career," Lahm said.
Young Hoffenheim helmsman Julian Nagelsman won the Coach of the Year award and Germany captain Dzsenifer Marozsan the women's player award.
All three won the award for the first time.
