Matildas captain Sam Kerr has been nominated for the Ballon D’Or Feminin after a stellar season with Chelsea,
A-Leagues legend Kerr is in the running for the top individual honour following her exploits at Chelsea, where she won the Women’s Super League and back-to-back Golden Boots in 2021-22.
Kerr faces opposition from the holder, Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas, and three of the England team that won the Women’s Euros. Five of Lyon’s Champions League-winning side are also included among the 20 nominees.
Former Sydney FC and Perth Glory striker Kerr, though, has already scooped a number of honours, including the Best International Athlete, Women’s Soccer for the third time at the ESPYS.
Kerr’s trophy-winning exploits saw her become the first Australian ever to win the English PFA Players’ Player of the Year among other accolades.
She also took home the FWA’s Footballer of the Year and WSL Player of the Season, while she became the first Aussie woman to claim an award after Harry Kewell’s 2000 PFA Young Player of the Year honour.
Kerr became the first female footballer to feature on the cover of a global version of FIFA.
The Australia international is pictured alongside Paris Saint-Germain sensation Kylian Mbappe on the cover of the FIFA 23 Ultimate Edition.
Meanwhile, seven-time winner and defending champion Lionel Messi was not listed for Ballon d’Or the first time since 2005.
Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is the favourite.
The French international has had an incredible season for Real Madrid, scoring 44 goals in 46 games and helping them win the Champions League and LaLiga.
Other nominees among the 30 announced by organisers France Football magazine on Friday include Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland – who has just joined the club from Borussia Dortmund – and last season’s joint Premier League top scorer Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and fellow England international Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund are among the nominees for the Kopa Trophy for the best players aged 21 and under.
The Premier League is well represented in the shortlist for the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper, meanwhile, with Man City’s Ederson, Alisson Becker of Liverpool, Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy and Hugo Lloris of Tottenham joining Courtois on the 10-man shortlist.
The awards, to be presented in October, are now based on a regular season from August to July rather than a calendar year.
