29.07.2019Bayer 04

Havertz runner-up in vote for Footballer of the Year

Kai Havertz took second place in the vote for the Footballer of the Year 2019. Together with the winner Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund, it was almost just a race between the two of them: The Dortmund player received 158 votes and Havertz 121. The next places were taken by Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich (35 votes), Leroy Sané of Manchester City (28 votes) and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Luka Jovic (27 votes).

"Kai Havertz voted into second place is in my opinion deserved and no surprise. He has a lot of potential, enjoyment playing the game and ambition," praised Germany coach Jogi Löw. "We want to see him succeed in the national team. It gives me great pleasure to work with the two players (Reus and Havertz, ed.) in continuing our rebuilding and development of the team."

Michael Ballack was the only Werkself player to date to win the title of Footballer of the Year in 2002. Back then, Ballack was in the Bayer 04 team that reached the Champions League final and he also led Germany to the World Cup final.

The vote for the Footballer of the Year has been organised by the sports magazine Kicker since 1960 amongst members of the German Sports Journalists Association (VDS). 550 valid votes were cast in the 2019 ballot.

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