“Give enough time”
©IMAGO
The German Football Association has awarded central defender Finn Jeltsch (19) from VfB Stuttgart and Alexander Staff (17) from Eintracht Frankfurt with the Fritz Walter Gold Medals in the U19 and U17 age groups. The U21 and U17 national players follow New Munich’s Tom Bischof (20) and Leverkusen’s own product Francis Onyeka (18).
“This year’s winners of the Fritz Walter Medal show how much talent and passion there is in German youth football. They represent a generation that impresses with courage, team spirit and high individual quality,” said Kai Krüger, head of the DFB’s youth national teams. “We are pleased to be able to continue to accompany them on their journey and are convinced that they will also make an impact in the professional field. At the same time, it is important that we give them enough time for further development. A big thank you goes to the clubs and amateur clubs who have played an immense part in the players’ great development.”
The two offensive talents Said El Mala (19) from 1. FC Köln and Lennart Karl (17) from FC Bayern were awarded the silver medals. According to the latest Bundesliga update, the Munich youngster shares the top spot in the ranking of the most valuable German talents up to the age of 19 with winner Jeltsch with a market value of 20 million euros. Striker Max Moerstedt (19) from TSG Hoffenheim and central defender Elias Vali Fard (17) from Borussia Mönchengladbach received bronze.
For women, the gold award went to Bavaria-Duo Alara Sehitler (18) and Luzie Zähringer (17). Follow in second place Estrella Merino Gonzalez (18) from Bayer Leverkusen and Lotta Wrede (17) dated Hamburger SV. received bronze Thea Farwick (19) from SV Meppen and Marie Gmeineder (17), who also plays for FC Bayern.