The twelve Austrian Bundesliga coaches have once again voted Real Madrid’s David Alaba Austria’s Footballer of the Year.
As in the previous year, Austria’s Footballer of the Year 2021 is David Alaba. The Real Madrid professional clearly prevailed with 44 points over Karim Adeyemi (Red Bull Salzburg/25) and Christoph Baumgartner (Hoffenheim/8) in the election conducted by the APA among the twelve Bundesliga coaches. This is Alaba’s eighth selection as Footballer of the Year, making him the superior record holder.
Alaba told the APA that it was an “unbelievably beautiful award, I am very grateful for it. My thanks go to everyone who voted for me, but also to my teammates and coaches who have contributed to me receiving this award. It means a lot to me.”
The 29-year-old became champions with FC Bayern this year, lifting his 27th and final trophy with the Munich side before moving on to Real on a free transfer. At Real, Alaba immediately became the leading player in central defence. Of the first 23 games this season, he missed only one due to muscle problems, in all other matches Alaba was in the starting line-up and was only substituted twice. He has scored two goals so far, including one in the 2-1 away win in the “Clasico” against FC Barcelona.
For Real, things have been going well with the Austrian star so far. In the league, they are the clear leaders, and in the Champions League, they won their group and made it to the round of 16, where Paris Saint-Germain now awaits. In addition, Alaba and the Austrian Football Federation (ÖFB) team made it to the last 16 of the European Championships this year, where they only reached the final after extra time against the eventual champions Italy. The left-footer is currently taking a break due to a Corona infection.
Alaba in first place among seven Bundesliga coaches
Seven of twelve league coaches put Alaba at number one, including Salzburg’s Matthias Jaissle. “Not only is he a great footballer, his move from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid actually says a lot about that. And because I played with him at Hoffenheim, I also know that he is a really good guy,” the German explained.
Alongside Robin Dutt from WAC, Rapid coach Ferdinand Feldhofer was also impressed with Alaba. “He is a constant and already had an enormously high status at Bayern. The way he is a regular player and leader right from the start at Real Madrid after changing clubs is impressive. And we’re not just talking about any club,” said the Styrian.
His Austria colleague Manfred Schmid described Alaba as “an outstanding football ambassador for Austria for many years. He plays at the very highest level for world clubs like Bayern or Real, is a leading player everywhere, has an incredible mentality and is an extraordinary personality on and off the pitch. “
Top players with top teams
Hartberg’s Kurt Russ is also enthusiastic about the left-footer. “David has been putting in outstanding performances at top teams for years and has established himself as a leading player. The move to Real Madrid is something special for Austrian football,” the ex-defender stressed.
Admira’s Andreas Herzog also opted for the Viennese. “He was a top player at Bayern Munich, won the title once again in a commanding manner at the end. Now he is with Real Madrid and is also already a top player. In addition, he reached the last 16 for the first time at the European Championship with the ÖFB team.”
Altach coach Damir Canadi, who is no longer in charge, had similar words to say about Alaba. “He brought top performances at FC Bayern, now brings top performances at Real Madrid and is a figurehead of Austrian football,” the 51-year-old said of the two-time Champions League winner.
