DFB announces 2025/26 Fritz Walter Medal winners

Francis Onyeka, Kennet Eichhorn, Maj Schneider and Mirja Kropp have been awarded gold as the DFB revealed the latest recipients of the prestigious Fritz Walter Medal.

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The DFB has announced the Fritz Walter Medal winners for the 2025/26 season, with 12 young players recognised across the 2007 and 2009 age groups.

According to the German Football Association, Bayer Leverkusen youngster Francis Onyeka claimed gold in the men's 2007 category.

Onyeka, who is currently on loan at SV Elversberg, finished ahead of Hertha BSC's Boris Mamuzah Lum, who received silver, and Werder Bremen's Mick Schmetgens, who took bronze.

In the women's 2007 category, SC Freiburg's Maj Schneider won gold, with Eintracht Frankfurt's Janne Krumme taking silver and Werder Bremen's Felicia Sträßer taking bronze.

The men's 2009 award went to Kennet Eichhorn, who joined Bayer Leverkusen from Hertha BSC during the summer.

Bayern Munich talent Cassiano Kiala finished second, while Hamburger SV youngster Louis Lemke received bronze.

RB Leipzig goalkeeper Mirja Kropp was named the gold-medal winner in the women's 2009 category.

SC Freiburg's Johanna Hebben took silver, while Kropp's Leipzig teammate Marie Kleemann completed the top three.

The Fritz Walter Medal has been awarded since 2005 and is regarded as one of the leading individual honours in German youth football.

DFB head of junior national teams Kai Krüger praised the latest group of winners for their development both on and off the pitch.

"The twelve award winners showed last season what sets them apart, both on and off the pitch," Krüger said.

He also highlighted the role several players played during a successful summer for Germany's youth national teams.

Germany won the Women's U17 European Championship, while both the men's and women's U19 sides reached their respective European Championship finals.

Krüger added that the award is not based solely on performances and results, with willingness to learn, team spirit and personality also important factors in the selection process.

Last year's gold winners included VfB Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch and Eintracht Frankfurt youngster Alexander Staff, alongside Alara Şehitler and Luzie Zähringer in the women's categories.