Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been recognised for his contribution to the Germany nation team with the "Special Jury" prize at the BAMBI awards in Berlin.
Germany coach Joachim Low was also given an "Integration" award by the BAMBI jury, which rewards people who have affected and inspired the German public, with 10 members of the squad he took to Euro 2016 having foreign roots.
Schweinsteiger, 32, won the last of his 121 international caps in September, having captained his country to World Cup success in 2014.
The BAMBI jury said: "With a hitherto unknown combination of discipline and effortless skill, Bastian Schweinsteiger has won the hearts of the fans and become one of Germany's best and most popular footballers.
"His name symbolises sporting ambition and fair competition. He exudes both pure fighting spirit and a likeable, easy-going nature."
But the former Bayern Munich star has not played for United this season, having been cut adrift by Jose Mourinho. Although back in training with the first team, he is expected to move to Major League Soccer next year with ESPN FC sources revealing that Chicago Fire are in talks to sign him.
"My goal is to play for Manchester United, that's what I give it my all for in every training session and I hope for my chance," Schweinsteiger told Sky Sports at the awards. "It's going well. I am training with the first team, and it's fun. If the team needs me, I am there to help."
Of Low, the jury added: "Together, Joachim Low's players represent a multicultural, cosmopolitan, modern Germany and strongly signal that integration is possible and can benefit everyone.
"For many years, integration has been a matter of course in Joachim Low's German national squad."
It added that Low had "turned the national team into ambassadors for a unified Germany" and provided a "prime example of successful integration."
Players with foreign heritage to be part of the Germany squad at the European Championship include Mesut Ozil (Turkey), Sami Khedira (Tunisia), Jerome Boateng (Ghana) and Jonathan Tah (Ivory Coast).