In company with Klose, Völler, Ailton and Basler: Niclas Füllkrug is SV Werder’s fifth Bundesliga top goalscorer. 17 years after Miroslav Klose’s triumph, 16 goals were enough for “Lücke” to share the iconic canon trophy with Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig). “Of course, I’m happy about being the top goalscorer,” said Füllkrug. “It’s an award for me, for the team and for our style of play.”
The success of Werder’s number 11 is a historic achievement. 16 goals have never been enough to claim the title of top goalscorer in the Bundesliga. This achievement is made all the more remarkable by the fact that Füllkrug is the first top goalscorer for a promoted side in 15 years. Back then, Theofanis Gekas won the award while playing for VfL Bochum. Whether, in the end, the most or fewest goals are enough for the award, is irrelevant to the winner. “It only comes as a result of hard work,” explained Füllkrug. “I wanted to prove to everyone that it’s not just a run of form, but that I can be a really good goalscorer.”
Unlike many of his closest rivals, Füllkrug also missed several games in the all-important final period of the season. Persistent muscle problems kept the 30-year-old from playing between matchdays 28 and 32. Among the top 10 most prolific forwards in the league, only joint champion Nkunku has played fewer games. For “Lücke”, it was important to stress that this individual award would not have been possible without the contribution of his teammates: “Everyone who has assisted me has also played a part in this trophy,” he said. “We want to play attacking football, which also makes us stand out a bit.”
The joint 2022/23 Bundesliga top goalscorer:
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) May 27, 2023
NICLAS FÜLLKRUG ????⚽#werderpic.twitter.com/k8ehYKBIie
