Makaay by a landslide in fans' poll
Whenever the name Roy Makaay comes up in news reports, conversations or analysis, the adjectives associated with the striker smack of fear and respect: "clinical" or "deadly" are the most frequently used descriptions.
But the Dutch ace has clearly inspired love and affection among the fans as well, and no wonder with a record of 31 goals in 44 appearances. The evidence is provided by Makaay's storming victory in the annual Player of the Season poll by a record margin.
The 29 year-old won 69.5 percent of the 30,000 votes cast, streets ahead of second-placed Bastian Schweinsteiger on 11.7 percent and Michael Ballack on 4.4 percent.
"Obviously I'm totally delighted to be recognised by the fans this way," Makaay commented in an uncharacteristically elated statement. "You certainly can't take for granted that a newcomer wins this kind of accolade from the fans," he added proudly.
Makaay's strike rate bears comparison with anything in Europe, as he fired an astonishing three goals every four games on average, a total of 23 in the Bundesliga, eight in the Champions League and six in the German Cup, more than fulfilling the promise he made on arriving in Munich: "I'm here to score goals."
"I've never seen a striker who needs so few chances, it's really impressive," Oliver Kahn commented, while chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was even moved to compare the Netherlands international with the greatest of his predecessors: "Roy Makaay reminds me of Gerd Müller in his very best days, he has the same qualities."
Goals alone do not explain Makaay's popularity among the fans. His uncomplicated, friendly, modest and team-orientated personality have endeared him to all and sundry. "You can't score goals on your own," he declared, a rare statement indeed from a world-class striker.
Makaay has a contract keeping him in a Munich until 2007, so it is anyone's guess how many goals the marksman will achieve in the course of his Bayern career.
We offered prizes galore in our Player of the Season vote, and congratulations go to star prize winner Martin Skrebsky of Karlsfeld who will enjoy a trip for two to a Bayern away fixture in European competition this season. Uwe Polifka (Bad Reichenhall), Rainer Michalski (Berlin), Maik Schmitz (Uslar), Steffen Fischer (Salzkotten) and Gerhard Rauschmeier (Mumich) each win a signed Makaay replica shirt, while Julia Hebbelmann (Papenburg), Bruno Pschenitza (Leipzig), Jochen Karsten (Neuwied) and Moritz Müller (Hilden) receive a Berni bear mascot cuddly toy.
The start of the new league season means the Player of the Month vote for August has begun. Simply cast your vote here at www.fcbayern.de, or send a postcard naming your choice to FC Bayern Munich, August Player of the Month, PO Box 90 04 51, 81504 Munich, Germany. Don't forget to include your address, and you could win one of three shirts signed by the winner. Everyone who submits a vote will be entered for the prize draw.
Top 10 Bayern players of the season 2003-4
- Roy Makaay 69.5 %
- Bastian Schweinsteiger 11.7 %
- Michael Ballack 4.4 %
- Zé Roberto 2.9 %
- Oliver Kahn 2.2 %
- Bixente Lizarazu 1.6 %
- Sebastian Deisler 1.7 %
- Claudio Pizarro 1.1 %
- Roque Santa Cruz 1.0 %
- Hasan Salihamidzic 0.9 %
