Samantha Kerr’s exceptional year in international football continued Thursday (AEST) when she was honoured with an award at the 2018 ESPY Awards held in Los Angeles, California.
The ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Awards, held annually, recognise individual and team athletic achievements and other sports-related performances.
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Kerr, who will join the Westfield Matildas for matches against Brazil, USA, and Japan at the 2018 Tournament of Nations next week, joined some of the biggest names in world sport at the event.
"Getting the chance to attend the ESPYs and rub shoulders with my idols is one thing but to win this big award is out of this world," said Kerr after claiming the award.
Kerr was named ‘Best International Women’s Soccer Player’ ahead of Lieke Martens (FC Barcelona/Netherlands), Pernille Harder (VfL Wolfsburg/Denmark), and Jodie Taylor (Seattle Reign/England).
Cristiano Ronaldo was also named the ‘Best International Men’s Soccer Player’ ahead of Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona/Argentina), Neymar Jr (Paris St Germain/Brazil), and Mo Salah (Liverpool FC/Egypt).
Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Gallop AM, congratulated Kerr for securing another honour.
“Some of the best athletes in the world received recognition at the ESPYS today, and as a football community we are exceptionally proud that an Australian footballer, Samantha Kerr, was among them,” said Gallop.
“Recognition of Sam’s performances on an international level speaks volumes of her achievements for her clubs and country, and we can’t wait to see her playing for the Westfield Matildas next week at the 2018 Tournament of Nations,” he said.
The ESPYS have been held annually since 1993.
