BBC Sports announced the shortlist of five players competing for Women’s Footballer of the Year 2023. The nominees for the prestigious award are Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Mary Earps (England), Samantha Kerr (Australia), Alexandra Popp (Germany) and Fridolina Rolfo (Sweden).
It was a very successful year for the women’s football, as almost two million fans attended the record-breaking Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and several millions watched it on the TV. Also the England Women’s Super League, Spanish Liga de Futbol Femenino (Liga F), and French Division 1 Feminine gained much popularity and attracted even more fans.
Thus, BBC Sports released a shortlist of five players competing for the award of Women’s Footballer of the Year 2023. here are the nominees:
– Aitana Bonmati (Spain)
The Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati won the Spanish Liga de Futbol Femenino as well as the Champions League. She had a key role in the Spanish women’s national football team to win the World Cup title and also was named Player of the Tournament.
– Mary Earps (England)
The Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps was a key player for the team, which earned the bronze in the England Women’s Super League and runner-up in the FA Cup. With England’s women’s national football team, she earned the silver at the World Cup and picked up Fifa’s Golden Glove award for the best keeper at the tournament.
– Samantha Kerr (Australia)
Although followed by injuries this season, Chelsea forward Samantha Kerr scored 29 goals in 38 games in all competitions, helping her team to win the Women’s Super League and FA Cup double.
– Alexandra Popp (Germany)
The Wolfsburg forward and Germany’s captain Alexandra Popp was the top scorer in Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga. Her 16 goals helped her team to finish second in the league and lifted the German Cup for the 10th time. She managed to score four goals in the World Cup, although her team was eliminated in the group stage.
– Fridolina Rolfo (Sweden).
Barcelona forward Fridolina Rolfo scored the most important goal for her team during the season – at the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Fridolina Rolfo also brought the title for Barcelona in the Spanish Liga F. With the Sweden women’s national team she earned the bronze at the World Cup.
Last year, the award for BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year was given to Arsenal and England forward Beth Mead.
The voting had already started and the winner will be announced on November 28.
