Mueller was the first posthumous recipient of the award. The award announcement was made at the German Sport Press Ball in Frankfurt on Saturday.

Mueller died aged 75 in August after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The organizers said they were honouring a legendary athlete who inspired and touched football fans and others for more than a decade.

In consultation with his family, Mueller’s former national team colleague Rainer Bonhof accepted the Pegasos Prize on his behalf.

“Having Gerd in front was important because no matter who the opponent was, he scored his goal,” Bonhof said.

The Legend of Sport prize has been awarded since 2007. It honours the lifetime achievements of outstanding personalities from the German sport world who also actively contribute to society through charitable activities.

Previous winners include the Olympic biathlon champions Magdalena Neuner and Laura Dahlmeier, former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, two-time Olympic champion figure skater Kati Witt as well as football greats such as Franz Beckenbauer, Uwe Seeler, Lothar Matthaeus and Joachim Loew.