Matildas superstar Sam Kerr has been selected in the World XI, but missed out on the top-three shortlist for the Women’s Player of the Year at the FIFA Awards.
The best women’s player award went to Spain’s World Cup winner Aitana Bonmati, making it a clean sweep for the 25-year-old playmaker.
Bonmati has also picked up the Ballon d’Or and UEFA’s best player award, as well leading Spain to the World Cup and club side Barcelona to the Champions League title.
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She won the award on Monday ahead of compatriot Jenni Hermoso and Real Madrid’s 18-year-old Colombia forward Linda Caicedo.
Kerr placed fifth with 32 votes, 20 behind Bonmati.
However, Kerr earned selection in the best team for the second consecutive year after another stunning campaign for Chelsea and the Matildas.
She was the top goalscorer for both club and country in 2023, netting a combined 37 goals for Chelsea and Australia across the year.
The award, the only global player award organised by the players and for the players, is based on their performances during the period between August 2022 and August 2023.
Kerr, who is recovering from ACL surgery, was the only Matilda to make the team, while seven of England’s squad were selected in XI.
Meanwhile, shortlisted Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou missed out on being named the world’s best coach at a glittering awards ceremony that crowned Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati as the top players.
Postecoglou, recognised for his achievements in his previous role at Scottish giants Celtic, lost out to overwhelming favourite Pep Guardiola at The Best FIFA Awards 2023 in London.
Guardiola guided Manchester City to a treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup triumphs last season.
Postecoglou was on a shortlist that also included Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, Luciano Spalletti – who took Napoli to the Serie A title – and Barcelona’s Xavi.
“I want to say thank you so much to our players, what they have done for this club for eight years already together. Without exception, all of them,” Guardiola said.
“Thanks so much for this incredible journey because they don’t know what it means every morning to go there and live with them, winning or losing it doesn’t matter – living with them has been incredible.”
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson narrowly missed out on the top award for women’s coach, with England boss Sarina Wiegman picking up the gong for the second successive year.
The Dutchwoman took England to the World Cup final in Australia, where they were beaten by Spain.
Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes was also on the shortlist along with Sweden’s Peter Gerhardsson, and Jonatan Giraldez of Barcelona.
“(The women’s game) is in the best place it has ever been,” Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze said at Monday’s awards ceremony.
“Really, the sky is the limit for women’s football.
“We are stood here representing the World XI, but there are hundreds of thousands of women out there playing football at the highest level making the game what it is today.”
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, now with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, won the best men’s player award once again: for the eight time in 15 years.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and French forward Kylian Mbappe were also shortlisted.
– With AAP
FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11
- Goalkeeper: Mary Earps
- Defenders: Alex Greenwood, Lucy Bronze, Olga Carmona
- Midfielders: Aitana Bonmati, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh
- Forwards: Alex Morgan, Alessia Russo, Lauren James, Sam Kerr
FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World 11
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: John Stones, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias
- Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham, Kevin De Bruyne
- Forwards: Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Vinicius Junior
