The Gerd Müller Trophy (formerly the Striker of the Year Award) is a relatively new award presented as part of the Ballon d'Or awards for the highest-scoring footballer in the previous season. This prestigious award recognizes the most prolific goalscorers in world football, combining goals scored for both club and country throughout the calendar year.

Gerd Müller celebrating after scoring

1970 Ballon d'Or winner Gerd Müller

About the Award

This award was first presented in 2021, alongside the Club of the Year Award. The two new awards were introduced by France Football, the French sports monthly which awards the Ballon d'Or. The trophy celebrates pure goalscoring ability, recognizing the player who has scored the most goals across all competitions in a calendar year.

In the first year the award was called the Striker of the Year Award or Best Striker Award. For the second and subsequent years, it has been named the Gerd Müller Trophy. Gerd Müller was a German footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers ever. Known as "Der Bomber," Müller won the Ballon d'Or in 1970 and scored an incredible 365 goals in 427 Bundesliga games for Bayern Munich. He died in August 2021, and the award was renamed in his honor.

“The Gerd Müller Trophy is awarded to the world’s most prolific striker in a season, recognizing not just talent but sustained goal-scoring excellence across club and international competition.”

— Gray Whitebloom for 90min, October 28, 2024

Complete List of Winners

Year-by-Year Winners

  • 2021: Robert Lewandowski - The Polish striker was named the inaugural Striker of the Year after scoring 69 goals in all competitions. Playing for both Bayern Munich and later Barcelona, Lewandowski was also the captain of Poland. He was the favorite to win the 2020/21 Ballon d'Or which was not awarded due to the coronavirus pandemic disruption to the football calendar.
  • 2022: Robert Lewandowski - Lewandowski retained his crown with another phenomenal year, scoring 57 goals across all competitions. His consistency at the highest level demonstrated why he's considered one of the best strikers of his generation.
  • 2023: Erling Haaland - The Norwegian sensation won the trophy after his record-breaking debut season with Manchester City. Haaland set a Premier League record for the most goals in a season with 36 goals, while also helping City win the treble.
  • 2024: Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé - For the first time in the award's history, two players shared the trophy. Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich) had an outstanding debut season in the Bundesliga, while Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris Saint-Germain / Real Madrid) continued his incredible scoring form before his move to Real Madrid.

Award Criteria and Selection Process

The Gerd Müller Trophy winner is determined based on goals scored for both club and country during the calendar year. Unlike other awards that consider overall performance, assists, or team achievements, this trophy focuses purely on goalscoring prowess. The counting period runs from January to December, with goals in all official competitions included in the tally.

According to data from France Football (2024), the selection process involves comprehensive tracking of goals scored in domestic leagues, cup competitions, continental tournaments, and international matches. The award recognizes not just the quantity but also the consistency of goalscoring across different competitions and levels of play.

Comparison with Other Scoring Awards

The Gerd Müller Trophy differs from other goalscoring awards in several key ways. The European Golden Shoe only counts league goals with a coefficient system favoring top leagues, while the Gerd Müller Trophy counts all goals equally. The FIFA Puskás Award recognizes the most beautiful goal rather than the most prolific scorer.

Pro Tip: When comparing goalscoring records across different eras, consider that the Gerd Müller Trophy counts all competitions equally, making it easier for players in multiple tournaments to accumulate higher totals.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Gerd Müller Trophy first awarded?

The trophy was first awarded in 2021 to Robert Lewandowski. It was initially called the Striker of the Year Award before being renamed in 2022 to honor Gerd Müller.

Who has won the Gerd Müller Trophy the most times?

Robert Lewandowski has won it twice (2021 and 2022), making him the only multiple winner so far. No other player has won it more than once in the award's short history.

Why is it called the Gerd Müller Trophy?

The award was renamed in 2022 to honor Gerd Müller, who passed away in August 2021. Müller was one of football's greatest goalscorers, winning the 1970 Ballon d'Or and scoring 365 Bundesliga goals.

How is the winner determined?

The winner is determined by the total number of goals scored for club and country in the calendar year. All official competitions count equally, from domestic leagues to international tournaments.

Can multiple players win in the same year?

Yes, as demonstrated in 2024 when Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé shared the award. This was the first time the trophy was shared between two players who scored the same number of goals.