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Last year’s winner Mesut Özil was proud to receive his prize, giving thanks to the fans: "This honour means a lot to me, because it’s given by the fans. I’m very proud to be able to receive this award."

In an open international vote, the Germany and Arsenal midfielder beat out ten other nominees. After 32,000 votes were tallied, Özil finished just ahead of Toni Kroos and Miroslav Klose. The Real Madrid midfield maestro and the Lazio striker are among this year’s favourites.

Bastian Schweinsteiger as Favourite?

Kroos and Klose will have tough competition from Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Manchester United midfielder hasn’t had aneasy first season in England, but he’s hugely popular with fans.

The same goes for Per Mertesacker from Arsenal. The model pro is in his fourth season for the London club, and has a good chance of winning. Mario Gomez may also garner more than a few votes, having proved his class at Fiorentina in Italy and now at Turkey’s Besiktas. In with a shout as well is Robert Huth. His Leicester City are the big surprise of the Premier League season, and have every chance of winning the league. Huth has provided them not just with defensive stability, but also chipped in with a few key goals as well. The Berlin native may well spring a surprise of his own in the fans’ vote this year.

New faces in the running

Kevin Trapp, Marc-André Ter Stegen and Emre Can are making their first appearance among the nominees this year. Each has wasted no time in making an impact at their news clubs abroad. Kevin Trapp has displaced Italian international Salvatore Sirigu as Paris Saint Germain’s number one. Emre Can is now a fixture in defensive midfield at Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC. And Germany’s U-21 European Championship-winning goalkeeper Marc André Ter Stegen has racked up the trophies since joining FC Barcelona: a league, cup and Champions League treble as well as the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

The first female Public Award winner?

Anja Mittag has done more than enough to win the award. The 30-year-old striker won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2007, she’s won the European Championship three times, and collected 103 caps for the German national team. These days she plays her club soccer with Paris Saint Germain, and may well add another trophy to her already massive collection. The final candidate, Corina Schröder also has an outside shot to win. The former Potsdam player is off to a flying start at Liverpool FC, and could well pull a surprise. Vote for your favourite!