In Europe Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was voted player of the year. Bayern was winning again, West Germany was winning, Rummenigge was at top form – perhaps his finest. He was 25.
It was almost total victory – practically all voting journalists placed him first. And considering the competition, it was hardly a hand out, as the award appeared to be given in the few previous years – very distant 2nd was Bernd Schuster (1. FC Koln – Barcelona) and 3rd – Michel Platini (St. Etienne). No more old stars – this were the new ones, the key figures of the 1980s. The next generation was coming finally strong. Rummenigge got 122 points, Schuster – 34, Platini – 33.