Image: GEPA pictures/ZUMA Press/AFP7/Oscar J. Barroso
The captain of the ÖFB national team and professional from Real Madrid, who suffered a torn cruciate ligament last Sunday, was clearly ahead of Konrad Laimer (FC Bayern) with 53 points in the election conducted by the APA – Austria Press Agency among the coaches of the twelve Bundesliga clubs /13) as well as Christoph Baumgartner and Nicolas Seiwald (both RB Leipzig and 7 each). For Alaba it is the fourth triumph in a row, with his ten awards as Footballer of the Year he is the superior record holder ahead of Ivica Vastic (4) and Herbert Prohaska (3). In an interview with the APA that was conducted before his injury, Alaba said: “This is a huge honor. Something that really always makes me proud and makes me very happy. Ten times, that’s something special again and I I’m incredibly grateful.”
The central defender emphasized that being named Footballer of the Year will not become a habit. “Not at all, quite the opposite. It’s very special every time. It’s also a confirmation of what I like to do and what I like to work for.”
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Alaba won the Spanish Cup with Real in 2023 and confidently booked the ticket for EURO 2024 with the ÖFB team. It is still unclear whether he can take part. “I want to be successful on the pitch together with my team, so I work hard for it, and the team’s success is above all else. If personal honors are added to that, that’s very nice,” explained the 31-year-old.
“Fantastic footballer, at the highest level”
Like Alaba, the coaches also gave their statements before the ÖFB star’s serious injury. As one of ten supervisors, Salzburg coach Gerhard Struber chose the Spanish legionnaire in first place. “He is a fantastic footballer who continues to show top performances at the highest level and takes responsibility wherever he goes. Not only does he have a huge influence at Real Madrid, he is also an absolute leader in the Austrian A team.”
Christian Ilzer from Sturm Graz made a similar statement: “He is a regular player at Real Madrid, plays in the Champions League and is captain of the Austrian national team, which qualified very confidently for the European Championships in Germany.” LASK coach Thomas Sageder also had great praise for Alaba. “He performs at the highest level week after week at Real Madrid and is an absolute top performer and leader there. The quality he brings as a central defender is incredible, and he shows that regularly at the club and in the Austrian national team.”
“The figurehead of Austrian football”
Hartberg’s Markus Schopp described Alaba as a “difference player at the highest level with a winning mentality”, and Austria Klagenfurt’s Peter Pacult said of the 105-time international: “As a regular player at a global club like Real Madrid and captain of the national team, he is the biggest figurehead in Austrian football. “
WAC coach Schmid emphasized that Alaba “has been a leading player at absolutely top clubs for years and has consistently delivered strong performances in the club and in the national team.” Austria’s Michael Wimmer emphasized, among other things, Alaba’s versatility, and Gerald Scheiblehner from Blau-Weiß Linz pointed out the personality of the Viennese, whom he described as an “absolute role model”.
According to WSG Tirol coach Thomas Silberberger, Alaba has been “one of the best defensive players in the world for years.” Austria Lustenau’s sports director Alexander Schneider, who voted before appointing Andreas Heraf as the new head coach, said: “He is a regular at Real Madrid and indispensable in the national team – the best footballer in Austria.”
Only Altach coach Joachim Standfest did not nominate Alaba in his top three. Rapid coach Robert Klauß only put the Real professional in second place and gave preference to Stefan Lainer for sentimental reasons. The right-back only recently returned to training after battling cancer.
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I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
