Szalai named Hungarian Footballer of the Year
Mainz - After spending close to twelve months on the sidelines having torn his cruciate and medial ligaments in 2011, Adam Szalai has been in sensational form during 2012 and, as a result, he has won the 'Golden Ball' in his home country after being named by football writers as the Hungarian Footballer of the Year.
"Comfortable in Mainz"
It is a great honour for the 14-time Hungarian international, who has been instrumental for Thomas Tuchel's side this season, currently topping Mainz's goalscoring charts having netted nine times. The powerful front man convincingly beat off the competition of compatriots Adam Bogdan, a goalkeeper for Bolton Wanderers, and Hannover 96's wing wizard Szabolcs Huszti in a survey of the country's top sports journalists.
Speaking exclusively to bundesliga.com earlier this season, Szalai explained his reason for signing a two-year contract extension keeping him at the club until 2015. "I feel very comfortable in Mainz," explained the 25-year-old. "It was here that I became a Bundesliga professional and when I was injured for so long the whole club and team were completely behind me. I believe I can develop myself further here and this was the best opportunity for me to be playing regularly as I continue to improve."
