Australian Sam Kerr has finished second in the race for the title of the world’s best women’s football player, missing out on the top award to Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí.
Key points:
- Kerr finished third in the voting for the 2021 and 2022 Ballon D’Or Féminin
- Bonmatí adds the award to the Golden Ball as the best player at the Women’s World Cup, and the title of Europe’s best
- Australian Hayley Raso was also on the final shortlist of 30 players for the women’s crown
Argentina legend Lionel Messi won the men’s award for the eighth time after leading his country to World Cup glory in 2022.
Kerr, who finished third as Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2021 and 2022, was once again beaten to the top by another Barcelona and Spain star.
In addition to Matildas captain Kerr, Bonmatí beat Barcelona teammates Salma Paralluelo and Sweden’s Fridolina Rolfö to the award, both of whom are teammates at Barcelona.
“All of them are great and inspiring footballers,” the 25-year-old winner said on stage at the ceremony in Paris.
“As role models, we have a responsibility on and off the pitch. We should be more than athletes.
“Keep leading by example and fighting together for a better, peaceful and equal world.”
Bonmatí, who won the Golden Ball as the best player at this year’s Women’s World Cup, adds her first Ballon d’Or to a sensational year.
Her nation is world champion and her team won the Champions League, with Bonmatí named the best player at the tournament and in Europe for the 2022-23 season.
Kerr’s Matildas teammate Hayley Raso was also among the final shortlist of 30 players in the running for the women’s Ballon d’Or, finishing 17th.