In the wake of the Matildas' historical run at last month's FIFA Women's World Cup, Sam Kerr has become Australia's highest ever finisher at the UEFA Awards after placing second in the UEFA women's Player of the Year award for the 2022/23 season.
With 88 votes, Kerr finished behind Spain's World Cup hero and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati (308) at the ceremony in Monaco on Thursday morning (AEST).
Real Madrid's Olga Carmona ranked third with 72 votes.
AS IT HAPPENED: All the scores and action from the US Open day four
READ MORE: 'Real struggle' rocks Roosters star stuck in 'fishbowl'
READ MORE: Aussie to be first transgender cricketer at World Cup
With the feat, Kerr became the first Australian, male or female, to place in the awards' top two since the men's award was established for the 2010/2011 season and the women's was added in 2013.
The achievement acknowledges Kerr's golden campaign with Chelsea, which included her 99th-minute goal to defend the Women's FA Cup over Manchester United and double against Reading to secure the Blues' fourth straight Women's Super League title.
The famed England 'double' also pre-empted more history for Kerr as she became the first woman to win the England Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year trophy in two straight seasons.
Erling Haaland was named the men's player of the year, while Pep Guardiola and Sarina Wiegman were honoured as men's and women's coach of the year.
Kerr also finished runner-up to Aston Villa's Rachel Daly in the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year awards earlier this week.
The superstar striker ended the season with 29 highlight-worthy goals in all competitions for Chelsea.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.