At the age of 21, David Alaba has established himself as an essential starter at Bayern Munich, transitioning from a defensive midfielder to a left-back position. The talented player has recently been honored for his outstanding performances, securing the title of Austrian Sportsman of the Year on Thursday. He is the first footballer to receive this accolade since Toni Polster in 1997. Alaba, of Nigerian origin, played a pivotal role in Bayern’s championship, cup, and Champions League treble last season, adding to his previous Player of the Year awards in 2011 and 2012.
Despite being absent from the awards ceremony due to a championship match at Hoffenheim, Alaba, through a webcam, expressed his emotions. He acknowledged that he is currently living a dream that many of his fellow countrymen aspire to, and he is fully aware of the significance.
Currently under contract with Bayern until 2015, Alaba initiated discussions for a contract extension a few days ago. However, negotiations have hit a roadblock as Alaba and his agents are seeking an annual salary of 6 million euros, a figure considered too high by the key decision-makers at Bayern.
