Matildas captain Sam Kerr takes second for UEFA award behind Spanish star Aitani Bonmati despite injury-disrupted FIFA Women’s World Cup
- Sam Kerr has come second for UEFA’s Women’s Player of the Year
- Follows winning the league and the FA Cup with Chelsea in England
- Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was voted Men’s Player of the Year
Sam Kerr’s magnificent European season, which concluded at home with her striking late contribution to Australia’s World Cup campaign, was rewarded with second place behind Spain’s Aitani Bonmati in the UEFA Player of the Year award.
While Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was voted Men’s Player of the Year by European football’s governing body and his team manager Pep Guardiola was named Coach of the Year, Kerr finished second between two Spanish Women’s World Cup winners Bonmati and third-placed Olga Carmona.
The recognition rewarded another exceptional season for Chelsea striker Kerr, whose goals helped The Blues win the FA Cup and Women’s Super League double in England.
She then suffered an injury – but still impressive – in the World Cup, where she led the Matildas to the semi-finals.
But there was no surprise when Bonmati, the outstanding player in both the World Cup and Barcelona’s Champions League winning streak, was awarded the top prize at the ceremony in Monaco.
Sam Kerr came second in the women’s category for UEFA’s Player of the Year award (pictured, holding the FA Cup trophy)
The 29-year-old helped Chelsea win the FA Cup and Women’s Super League doubles in England
Kerr endured a frustrating World Cup due to a calf injury, but eventually recovered to help the Matildas reach the semi-finals
The brilliant midfielder celebrated her triumph with an eloquent speech following the controversy surrounding Spanish football after Federation president Luis Rubiales kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the victory ceremony in Sydney.
“I want to share this award with all my teammates. I wouldn’t be here without them,’ Bonmati said.
“We’re not talking about the World Cup win because things happened that shouldn’t have happened.
“As a society, we should not allow the abuse of power in the workplace.
“I would like to say to my teammate Jenni and all the women who have been through the same thing, we stand with you. We are working to make this a better society.’
Sarina Wiegman, the women’s coach of the year after leading England to the World Cup final, also used her speech to address the crisis.
She felt the episode showed that there was still a “long way to go” in women’s play and society.