Kerr named second-best female footballer in the world by The Guardian

After finishing an impressive fifth in the inaugural Women’s Ballon d’Or, Sam Kerr has earnt yet another accolade, being named the second-best female footballer in the world according to English newspaper The Guardian.

The 100-strong list, released Saturday morning AEDT, placed Kerr above Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg as well as Lyon duo Lucy Bronze (4) and Eugenie Le Sommer (5).

Denmark and Wolfsburg forward Pernille Harder topped the list.

The voting panel included an Australian connection with coaches Joe Montemurro (Arsenal), Jeff Hopkins (Melbourne Victory) as well as former Westfield Matilda Alison Forman asked to deliver opinions.

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It’s a slow but steady improvement for Kerr, who was named a place below in last year’s list.

In coming to their decision, The Guardian highlighted Kerr’s impact for Chicago Red Stars in her first year at the club, scoring 16 goals and topping the NWSL scoring ladder for the second consecutive year.

Sam Kerr
Sam Kerr evades a defender

Also highlighted was her contribution and influence on the Westfield Matildas’ run to the final of the 2018 Asian Cup Final.

Kerr netted three times en route to the final including tucking away one of the key penalties in the shoot-out win over Thailand in the semi-final.

Having already scored six goals in four games for Perth Glory in the 2018/19 Westfield W-League season, Kerr will be aiming to go one better next year and will be granted a platform on the world stage when the Westfield Matildas head to France for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup

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This article was originally published on the CommBank Matildas website.
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