Kessler, Kellermann are world's best player, coach

VfL Wolfsburg and Germany midfielder Nadine Kessler has been named FIFA Women's World Player of the Year while her club coach Ralf Kellermann took the award as FIFA Women's World Coach of the Year at the annual Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich.

Kessler, who in August picked up the UEFA Best Women's Player in Europe Award 2013/14, captained Wolfsburg to victory in the UEFA Women's Champions League and Frauen Bundesliga for the second year running. The 26-year-old was ever-present in both competitions and ran the midfield alongside Lena Goessling.

"My heart is beating so fast," said Kessler. "After the tragedy of losing Junior Malanda at our club, we are having trouble coming to terms with understanding what has happened in the last few days. I would like to say thank you to a great many people, my coach and my team-mates, without their work this achievement would not have been possible. I will share this award with all of those people."

Kellermann echoed those sentiments. Runner-up last year for the coach's prize behind Germany's Silvia Neid, he has become the first club manager to top the five-year-old poll after Wolfsburg's feats in 2014. He finished ahead of Maren Meinert, who led Germany to victory at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Canada, and Japan's Norio Sasaki.

"This is an outstanding moment to receive this award," he said. "I'd like to say thank you to many people – I have an individual award in a team sport. This, then, is for the whole team. Out of respect for Junior Malanda, the young player at Wolfsburg who tragically died this week, you'll forgive me for keeping this short."