Matildas star Sam Kerr has narrowly missed out on world soccer's top individual prize, finishing second in the Ballon D'Or voting behind Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati.
It is the third time Chelsea and Australia forward Kerr has gone agonisingly close to the prestigious award, having also finished in the top three in 2021 and 2022.
She was the only Matildas player to finish in the top 10 for the award, with Real Madrid winger Hayley Raso ranked 17th by voters.
Kerr came third behind England's Beth Mead and Spanish winner Alexia Putellas in 2022, with Putellas also triumphing in 2021 as Jennifer Hermoso came second, just ahead of the Aussie champion.
She didn't attend the ceremony in France as she is preparing for the Matildas' Olympic qualifying match against Taiwan in Perth on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup in 2022, won the men's award for a record-extending eighth time in what was otherwise a relatively mundane season with club side Paris Saint-Germain.
Now with MLS outfit Inter Miami, Messi had previously been awarded the Ballon D'Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021.
'I couldn't imagine having the career that I've had,' Messi said.
'Everything that I've achieved. The fortune I've had playing for the best team in the world, the best team in history.
'To win the Copa America and then the World Cup, to get it done is amazing.'
The 25-year-old Bonmati enjoyed a fine year for club and country - winning the La Liga Femenina and Champions League double before playing a pivotal role in Spain's Women's World Cup success in Australia, where she also won the Golden Ball award for top scorer.
Her Spain and Barcelona teammate Salma Paralluelo was third.
Manchester City were crowned the men's team of the season after Pep Guardiola's side delivered the treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
City's Erling Haaland won the Gerd Muller Trophy for the world's top-scoring striker after hitting a record 56 goals last season.
Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won the Lev Yashin Trophy for goalkeeper of the year after his starring role in his nation's World Cup win.
England international Jude Bellingham was voted the Kopa Award winner for the best under-21 player in the world.
Bellingham has hit 13 goals in 13 appearances since moving to Madrid in the summer, including a double to lead Real to victory in his first 'Clasico' against Barcelona on Saturday, but his success was for last season - where he shone for Borussia Dortmund and England.
Believersministry1
0
Simple come to Barca
lionmoney
0
we don't give ballon d'Ors to lesbians
Lol what does that has to do with football another failed cr7 fans
lionmoney
0
After yesterday ballon d'or is no longer soccer's biggest award
But your goat cr7 cry the first time he won it rubbish you all can’t just keep this hate anymore
lionmoney
0
This Ballon D'Or rubbish should be renamed World cup D'Or. However good ona player is,he/she can't win it in a world cup year if his/her country doesn't win the world cup.So Erling Haaland, Mudryk,Salah should forget about it in 2026,2030 e.t.c
May god bless you for this reply some people no Sabi anything abt football at all
vusalnprtu
1
I think a club like Chelsea did not help her to campaign. if she want to win the award she should move to real madrid and she will be a better candidate
madrid woman team are worse than chelsea female team
tukcdstuy
0
we don't give ballon d'Ors to lesbians
what’s that gotta do with football
Linbmnrtu
0
After yesterday ballon d'or is no longer soccer's biggest award
and I know you'll watch it agaun
Linbmnrtu
1
This Ballon D'Or rubbish should be renamed World cup D'Or. However good ona player is,he/she can't win it in a world cup year if his/her country doesn't win the world cup.So Erling Haaland, Mudryk,Salah should forget about it in 2026,2030 e.t.c
but they have the chance this year, the year next and the year year next.
Zakclmpuz
2
This Ballon D'Or rubbish should be renamed World cup D'Or. However good ona player is,he/she can't win it in a world cup year if his/her country doesn't win the world cup.So Erling Haaland, Mudryk,Salah should forget about it in 2026,2030 e.t.c
bright_2417
2
After yesterday ballon d'or is no longer soccer's biggest award
Tizirai
1
we don't give ballon d'Ors to lesbians
JijangaUtdfan
0
Sam kerr is not a woman.
Yah that’s why God is punishing her for that behavior
Treks
0
I think a club like Chelsea did not help her to campaign. if she want to win the award she should move to real madrid and she will be a better candidate
Forget she play for Chelsea , she’s not even gonna win it this year coz of the World Cup Spain won again and Australia didn’t do well and she didn’t have any impact coz of injury Chelsea or no Chelsea if she win WorldCup with her country I am certain sure she would have won the award this year plus the double she won at Chelsea .
Mayor_Consult
0
I think a club like Chelsea did not help her to campaign. if she want to win the award she should move to real madrid and she will be a better candidate
If Sam Kerr truly play for Barcelona or Real Madrid women, she would have won the award easily. playing for other clubs really hard to win Ballon d'Or generally
Pebbekmoyz
0
no trophy for lesbian
You should work on mouth, think before you talk.
kisblpst
4
no trophy for lesbian
ABC54
3
I think a club like Chelsea did not help her to campaign. if she want to win the award she should move to real madrid and she will be a better candidate
bedabrst
0
His trophy was taken by messi
bedabrst
5
No Ballon d'or for lesbian
ollyfrosh
2
Sam kerr is not a woman.
you go explain tire
culer1
1
With Barcelona still good she has no chance
FootballBible
1
Sam kerr is not a woman.