Nia Kunzer's Golden Goal earned her a place in the history books
She believes a number of qualities are needed to win The Best FIFA Women's Player award
Says Carli Lloyd has been the outstanding player of the last two years ** **
Nia Kunzer's name will forever be associated with the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2003™, when her Golden Goal in extra time against Sweden handed Germany their first title at the global showpiece.
"I never actually watch my goal from 2003 when I'm at home," she told FIFA.com. "But obviously I've seen it when it's shown at events. It's still a nice moment when I see it. You can tell it was a good time for the team and also for me personally. It was a great moment in my life."
It was also a moment that went down in the record books. Her strike against Sweden was the last Golden Goal ever scored, thereby making it a historic one.
Did you know?
The 'Golden Goal rule' was in effect for ten years. FIFA first introduced it at the World Youth Championship 1993 in Australia**
Some of the most well-known scorers of Golden Goals include Oliver Bierhoff, Zinedine Zidane and David Trezeguet
Kunzer did not make many more appearances for Germany following that thrilling final. The now 37-year-old stepped down from international duty in 2006 and hung up her boots altogether after the 2007/08 season. She remains involved in the game as a television pundit, a role she will also hold during the Women's World Cup 2019.
"As the next tournament hosts I think France are really looking forward to staging the event – and for women this time," Kunzer said. "They've done a great deal at club level over the last few years, especially Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain. In technical terms, the French national team have been playing wonderful football for years. The only thing they're still missing is a major title. Everyone in France can no doubt help to make this golden generation become world champions in two years' time, just like the men were."
Before then, however, are numerous Women's World Cup qualifying games, club competitions and also the vote for this year's The Best FIFA Women's Player award. But what qualities must a player have to win the honour? For Kunzer, candidates need the following:
Play in a successful team and have good sporting potential
Be a key player
Shoulder responsibility in difficult situations
"All of those things combined qualify you to be the best player in the world," said the Botswana-born former Germany international. "Last year Carli Lloyd won it, and deservedly so."
Kunzer has also given some thought to who could follow in the American's footsteps this year: "Carli is very dominant at the moment and has been the outstanding player of the last couple of years. But I do think there are other players who have the chance to displace her, especially with the World Cup in France coming up. From a German perspective, Dzsenifer Marozsan is someone with exceptional qualities. She's been captain of the national team for a while now, she takes on responsibility and plays really well in Lyon. There are several really great players. That's what women's football needs. It needs faces to drive it forward."