Sam Kerr’s magnificent European season, capped back home by her striking late contribution to Australia’s World Cup push, has been rewarded with her being named runner-up behind Spain’s Aitani Bonmati in UEFA’s player of the year awards.

While Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was voted Men’s Player of the Year and his team’s manager Pep Guardiola coach of the year by European football’s ruling body, Kerr finished second between two Spanish Women’s World Cup winners, Bonmati and third-placed Olga Carmona.

The acknowledgement was a reward for another exceptional campaign for Chelsea striker Kerr, whose goals helped the Blues lift the women’s FA Cup and Super League double in England.

But there was no surprise when Bonmati, the outstanding player at both the World Cup and in Barcelona’s Champions League-winning run, was awarded top prize at the ceremony in Monaco.

Sam Kerr was named women’s runner-up for UEFA’s Player of the Year award (pictured, with the FA Cup trophy)

The 29-year-old helped Chelsea win the FA Cup and Women’s Super League double in England

Kerr endured a frustrating World Cup due to a calf injury, but eventually recovered to help the Matildas reach the semi-finals

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The brilliant midfielder marked her triumph with an eloquent speech following the controversy surrounding Spanish football after its federation president Luis Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso, on the lips at the victory ceremony in Sydney.

‘I want to share this award with all my teammates. I wouldn’t be here without them,’ Bonmati said.

‘We are not talking about the World Cup [win] because things that should not have happened, have taken place. 

‘As a society, we should not allow abuse of power in the work environment.

‘I would like to tell my teammate Jenni and all women who have been through the same thing: We are with you. We are working to make this a better society.’

Sarina Wiegman, the women’s coach of the year after leading England to the World Cup final, also used her speech to address the crisis.

She felt the episode showed there was still a ‘long way to go’ in the women’s game and society.