Striker Robert Lewandowski has been awarded the “Golden Shoe” for Europe's most successful goalscorer.
"I'm very proud," said the attacker from the Bundesliga club FC Bayern Munich after receiving the coveted award on Tuesday.
"No matter where you come from - you always have to believe in great achievements," the Pole sent as a message outside.
Lewandowski had scored 41 goals for the German record champions in the previous Bundesliga season, cracking Gerd Müller's legendary 40-goal mark.
The 33-year-old accepted the award, which has been presented since 1968, for the first time in his career and succeeds Ciro Immobile from Lazio.
"Robert is one of the best players in the history of the Bundesliga and has been playing at world-class level for years," praised the outgoing managing director of the German Football League (DFL), Christian Seifert.
To score 41 goals is perhaps "a record for the ages".
Lionel Messi, who won the award three times in a row ahead of Immobile, finished second with 30 goals, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo with 29 goals. The award is given on behalf of European Sports Media. The association of European sports magazines also includes "Kicker".