Kramarić wins award in his native Croatia

"I would like to say thank-you to all the fans who voted for me. It means a lot to me and makes me enormously proud. The award obviously motivates me to keep going the way I am. I dreamt of this as a child," said Kramarić following the handover of the award.

It is the third time that the 29-year-old has received an award from the Croatian daily newspaper "Vecernji list". The striker is the highest-scoring Croatian player in the history of the Bundesliga with 76 goals, having this season surpassed the record previous held by Ivica Olic (72 goals).

"Andrej is very popular among the people. He has a huge influence on young people and is a role model," said Croatian General Consul Ivan Sablić in praise of Hoffenheim's Number 27. The "Croatian Homeland Prize" is awarded to people with Croatian roots who are representing their homeland with distinction in various regions around the world. Also among the winners this year were Luca Modric (Real Madrid/Person of the Year) and Ivona Dadis (Union St. Pölten/Sportswoman of the Year).