What is the Gerd Muller Trophy? Past winners and nominees for 2024 | OneFootball

The Ballon d'Or ceremony doesn't merely crown the unofficial best player in the world in the male and female spheres, with France Football also celebrating humanitarian achievements and the proficiency of stars in particular positions.

We've seen goalkeepers celebrated for their brilliance via the Yashin Trophy which has been handed out since 2019, while strikers are now fighting for the right to get their hands on the Gerd Muller Trophy.

Cynics will question France Football's motive for the award's introduction given the farce surrounding the cancelled 2020 ceremony, but the award is an esteemed individual prize named in honour of one of the sport's greatest ever goalscorers.

Here's everything you need to know about the Gerd Muller Trophy ahead of the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony.

What is the Gerd Muller Trophy?

The Gerd Muller Trophy was initially known as the Striker of the Year or Best Striker Award when it was first handed out in 2021. Its name changed following the death of former Germany striker Gerd Muller in August 2021.

The honour is presented to the player who scored the most goals for club and country the previous season. So, the highest-scoring player from the 2023/24 season will receive the Gerd Muller Trophy at the 2024 ceremony on 28 October.

Who was Gerd Muller?

Muller (L) won the World Cup with West Germany in 1974 / Getty Images/GettyImages

In short, very few have been better at putting the ball in the back of the net than German football icon Gerd Muller. He's recognised as one of the greatest strikers of all time and is a former Ballon d'Or winner.

Muller was as reliable as they come in front of goal, boasting predatory instincts which allowed him to relentlessly score from close range. His 40-goal Bundesliga season in 1971/72 has only been bettered once since (Lewandowski scored 41 times in 2020/21) and his record-setting 85-goal haul in 1972 was one that stood until Lionel Messi scored 91 times in 2012.

Despite retiring in 1981, Der Bomber remains Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga's all-time record goalscorer. Only Miroslav Klose scored more for the German national team, although his 71 goals came in 137 games. Muller netted 68 in 62 and averaged a goal every 81 minutes.

Past winners of the Gerd Muller Trophy

Robert Lewandowski has won the award twice / Aurelien Meunier/GettyImages

This award has been handed out three times, with Robert Lewandowski claiming the first two honours in 2021 and 2022.

The all-time Polish great was a shoo-in to win his first Ballon d'Or in 2020 after inspiring Bayern Munich to an imperious treble, but France Football's odd decision to cancel the ceremony prevented Lewandowski from receiving the illustrious prize.

Thus, many speculate that France Football added the Gerd Muller Trophy to their awards repetoire merely to appease the current Barcelona striker, who finished second behind Lionel Messi in 2021 Ballon d'Or voting. Lewandowski won the inaugural goalscoring prize having scored a remarkable 64 goals during the calendar year and his second for netting on 57 occasions during the 2021/22 season - his final season with Bayern.

There was little competition for Erling Haaland as he became the second player to win the trophy in 2023. The Nordic goal machine was simply unstoppable during Manchester City's treble-winning campaign as he smashed the single-season Premier League scoring record. Haaland scored 56 times in 57 games for club and country in 2022/23.

Nominees for the 2024 Gerd Muller Trophy

Harry Kane won the European Golden Shoe last season / Stuart Franklin/GettyImages

Given that this is not a subjective award and is handed out to the player who scored the most goals, there is no nominees list for the Gerd Muller Trophy. The winner will be announced at the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday 28 October.

Haaland is once again a contender even if his scoring rate dipped last season, while Harry Kane claimed the European Golden Shoe after scoring 36 times in the Bundesliga. Kylian Mbappe may well pip Kane to the honour, though. Cristiano Ronaldo was once again prolific in Saudi Arabia, but he won't be considered for this award.