Sam Kerr has suffered a double snub after missing a place in the final three contenders for the Best FIFA Women’s Player award despite coming runner-up in voting for the prestigious Ballon d’Or Feminin.
Kerr’s sizzling World Cup goal against England, which had also been longlisted as one of the contenders for the Puskas Award as best goal, also didn’t make the final three, denying the Matildas captain any awards glory.
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Her Matildas teammates Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord had also been on the shortlist for player of the year, but none of the Australians made Thursday’s final cut.
Jenni Hermoso, Spain’s World Cup winner who had to endure the infamous unwanted post-final kiss on the lips from a Spanish official in Sydney that forced him out of his job, teammate Aitana Bonmati and young Colombian star Linda Caicedo were the final three names chosen.
Kerr had a sensational year for club side Chelsea, helping shoot them to an FA Cup and Women’s Super League double, before overcoming a calf injury and a delayed start to the World Cup to guide Australia to the semi-finals.
She also scored the goal of the tournament against England with a long-range strike.
Despite having also been in the top three in the last three editions of the Ballon d’Or Feminin, the 30-year-old superstar, who was also third in voting for the FIFA award in 2021, has again missed out on the ultimate recognition.
For the equivalent men’s award, holder and serial winner Lionel Messi will contend with Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe for the award.
They are the same three men who featured in the 2022 final trio. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London in January.