Why Matildas and Chelsea star Sam Kerr keeps getting overlooked at The Best FIFA Football award

Matildas and Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr has been named in the World XI - but was again snubbed for the FIFA Best Women's Player of the Year award.

Kerr, 29, missed out on the personal accolade as the individual honour is voted by players - though they did still admit she deserved to be picked at striker in the team of the year.

Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas took home the coveted gong for a second successive year, ahead of England's Beth Mead and US veteran Alex Morgan.

Perth raised striker Kerr was one of 14 players shortlisted - but didn't make the final cut, a recurring theme in recent years.

She also has every reason to feel miffed given on the pitch, Kerr enjoyed a stellar 2022.

Kerr snared the English Women's Super League Golden Boot for a second straight season following her exploits with the Blues and was also named the English PFA's Players' Player of the year after claiming the WSL and FA Cup double.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson remains mystified why his captain continues to be overlooked for global personal honours.

'I've said it over and over again, she deserves to be the best player,' he told ABC's Summer Grandstand.

'She's world-class, I'm so privileged to get the chance to work with her.

'In my opinion, it's long overdue for her to get that prize. She should have had it already.'

Meanwhile, former Central Coast Mariners star Alou Kuol, 21, was shortlisted for the FIFA Puskás Award goal of the year.

But the effort from the VfB Stuttgart striker - a memorable 'scorpion kick' for the Australian under-23 team against Iraq - also didn't make the final cut.

Predictably, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi was crowned the world's best male footballer at FIFA's award ceremony in Paris.

Winning the World Cup in Qatar ensured the 35-year-old was always going to be hard to topple.

Messi - also the winner of seven Ballon d'Or's - claimed his second FIFA 'The Best' title - and first since 2019 - after pipping PSG team-mate and World Cup final opponent Kylian Mbappe from France.

While holding his award, Messi stated: 'Wow, it's amazing. It's been a tremendous year and it's an honour for me to be here and win this award.

'Without my team-mates I wouldn't be here. I achieved the dream (World Cup) I had been hoping for for so long. Very few people can achieve that and I have been lucky to do so.'

Prolific Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema rounded out the top three men's nominations.