Sam Kerr comes second in Women’s Ballon d’Or voting

Sam Kerr was named as the second best women’s soccer player in the world, according to France Football and Ballon d’Or voters. 

Australia’s Sam Kerr narrowly missed out on collecting her first ever Ballon d’Or trophy on Monday. The Matildas and Chelsea striker finished second behind Spain and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati in Women’s Ballon d’Or voting. The Men’s Ballon d’Or was also awarded at Monday’s ceremony in France where Lionel Messi collected his 8th Ballon d’Or.  

Bonmati was always big favourite 

As great a player as Sam Kerr is, the Women’s Ballon d’Or was always Aitana Bonmati’s to win. The Spanish central midfielder was the huge favourite at all betting sites in Australia.  
 
Not only was Bonmati a part of the Spain side that won the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but she was also a key player in Barcelona’s success over the past season. The Blaugrana won a treble last year, winning their domestic league and Supercup, as well as the UEFA Women’s Champions League.  
 
Another reason Bonmati was such a huge favourite with the betting sites is because of the other individual awards she won over the summer. In addition to winning the Ballon d’Or, Bonmati has been awarded the FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball, UEFA Women's Player of the Year, and the UEFA Women's Champions League Player of the Season. 

Kerr now finished top three for third straight season

Sam Kerr’s second place finish in the 2023 Ballon d’Or voting is her highest finish ever. In the previous two editions of the award, Kerr finished third. She is the first female to finish top three in voting for three consecutive seasons. In fact, Kerr is the first woman to ever receive three top-three finishes.  
 
The Women’s Ballon d’Or has only been awarded since 2018. While she has never won the award, Sam Kerr’s name is littered throughout the award’s short history. She and France’s Wendie Renard are the only players to have been nominated for the award every year since 2018. Moreover, Kerr has never finished lower than seventh in voting.  
 
Kerr has started the 2023-24 Women’s Super League season injured, but she has still come out to a strong start for her club and country. She currently has one goal and two assists for Chelsea. For Australia, Kerr has scored four goals in the Matildas’ last two games.  
 
With these stats, we would be willing to bet Kerr is nominated for the Ballon d’Or again next season.  

Hayley Raso finishes in 17th

Sam Kerr was not the only Matildas player to be nominated for the Women’s Ballon d’Or. Hayley Raso was also listed on France Football’s thirty-name shortlist. Raso, who plays her club soccer for Real Madrid in Spain’s Liga F, finished 17th in voting.  
 
This was Raso’s first nomination. It was also the first time two Australians had been nominated for the Ballon d’Or in the same year.  
 
Raso’s inclusion in the Ballon d’Or shortlist was mostly due to her contributions to the Matildas at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. If she, or another Australian is to be nominated next year, Australia will likely have to go far at the 2024 Paris Olympics.  
 
If the betting agencies are to be believed, the Matildas have a good chance of doing just that, so we would not put it past another Aussie being nominated next year. 

Both Kerr and Raso will suit up for the Matildas this Wednesday night against Chinese Taipei in the third match of the AFC’s Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament. However, neither player may play much since Australia has already secured qualification to the next round thanks to victories against Iran and the Philippines over the past week.