Share this @internewscast.com

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

Sam Kerr features again in the list of nominees for soccer’s main individual prize, the Ballon d’Or, after another spectacular year for club and country – and she’s joined by her Matildas teammate Hayley Raso.

It’s the first time in football history two Australians have been nominated for the prestigious trophy, which is awarded to the best footballers in the world.

The Australian pair are among the 30-strong list to lift the Ballon d’Or Feminin, with Kerr in the frame after winning the English League and Cup double at Chelsea and leading her country to the semi-final of the World Cup in an injury-hit, but still briefly spectacular, campaign.

In the lists unveiled on Wednesday, serial winner Lionel Messi again looks hot favourite to pick up the men’s Ballon d’Or for a record-extending eighth time following his own World Cup heroics, less than a year after being omitted from the nomination list.

Sam Kerr has come close to winning the award, finishing third in both 2021 and 2022

Sam Kerr has come close to winning the award, finishing third in both 2021 and 2022

Sam Kerr has come close to winning the award, finishing third in both 2021 and 2022

It is the first time Hayley Raso has nominated for the prestigious trophy

It is the first time Hayley Raso has nominated for the prestigious trophy

It is the first time Hayley Raso has nominated for the prestigious trophy

Kerr has finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting in each of the last two years and has a chance of once again finishing on the podium as one of the world’s top three players after another dazzling season which was capped by her thunderous semi-final goal against England.

But the main award looks sure to go to one of the victorious Spanish World Cup team, with the hot favourite being Aitana Bonmati, who last week was named the UEFA women’s player of the year.

She is one of six female nominees from Spain, but her compatriot, two-time winner and holder Alexia Putellas, is not on the list after missing much of last year with a serious knee injury.

Kerr’s England teammate Millie Bright joins her on the list, while the men’s ‘Golden Ball’ is likely to go to Messi, currently wowing a new audience in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.

Kerr had an impressive World Cup and has won the English League and Cup double at Chelsea

Kerr had an impressive World Cup and has won the English League and Cup double at Chelsea

Kerr had an impressive World Cup and has won the English League and Cup double at Chelsea

FULL SHORTLIST:

Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Mille Bright (England), Linda Caicedo (Colombia), Olga Carmona (Spain), Rachel Daly (England), Debinha (Brazil), Kadidiatou Diani (France), Mary Earps (England), Patricia Guijarro (Spain), Yui Hasegawa (Japan), Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden), Sam Kerr (Australia), Mapi Leon (Spain), Katie McCabe (Ireland), Hinata Miyazawa (Japan), Lena Oberdorf (Germany), Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria), Ewa Pajor (Poland), Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Alexandra Popp (Germany), Hayley Raso (Australia), Alba Redondo (Spain), Guro Reiten (Norway), Wendie Renard (France), Fridolina Rolfo (Sweden), Jill Roord (Netherlands), Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Sophia Smith (USWNT), Georgia Stanway (England), Daphne van Domeslaar (Netherlands)

His masterful work in leading Argentina to the World Cup title in December seems sure to earn him the nod ahead of players like Erling Haaland, who’s one of seven Manchster City players on the men’s list, and Kylian Mbappe.

But there’s no place for Cristiano Ronaldo, a five-time winner now playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, for the first time in two decades.

The winner will be announced in Paris on October 30.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Maccabi Tel Aviv Condemns Tommy Robinson’s Involvement in Aston Villa Anti-Semitism Controversy

Tommy Robinson’s choice to don a Maccabi Tel Aviv jersey in solidarity…

West Ham’s Relegation Risk: Squad Weaknesses, Nuno Espirito Santo’s Missteps, and Financial Implications Unveiled

There once was a period when West Ham United were considered too…

Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky’s Last Hours: Friends’ Urgent Efforts, Eerie Warnings, and the Mysterious Figure in the Shadows – An Exclusive Report by Riath Al-Samarrai

The poignant final moments of a chess grandmaster’s life have been captured…

Ex-Premier League Stars Dominate Cheshire’s Sunday League: Can You Identify These Football Legends?

Fans attending matches at Wythenshawe FC Vets have been taken by surprise…

Erling Haaland Expands His Supercar Collection with a £250,000 Lamborghini, Elevating His Fleet’s Value to £10.5 Million

Erling Haaland is swiftly establishing himself as football’s ultimate car enthusiast, having…

Aston Villa Warns Fans Against Political Displays Ahead of Tense Maccabi Tel Aviv Match Following Ban on Israeli Supporters

Aston Villa has issued a stern warning to fans planning to attend…