MIAMI, Florida – The nominations for the 2023 Ballon d’Or are out and two Concacaf players, Sophia Smith of the United States and Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw, are on the list of the best 30 women’s players in the world.
The 23-year-old Smith is the only member of the U.S. Women’s National Team that appears on the list, and is one of two players that play in the NWSL. This nomination is no surprise, as Smith has been a goalscoring leader for her club and country.
In the 2022 season with the Portland Thorns of the NWSL, she finished as the winner of the Silver Boot with 11 goals. She also became the youngest Most Valuable Player in the history of the league, showing why she has been a talent to watch since the start of her career.
Smith made her FIFA Women’s World Cup debut this past summer, scoring two goals for the U.S. and chipping in an assist at Australia/New Zealand 2023. In the current club season, she sits atop the scoring table for her club with 11 goals and five assists.
Jamaica captain Shaw was also named among the best 30 players around the world, earning her first Ballon d’Or nomination at 26 years old. She has been a key player for both country and her club, Manchester City, scoring 31 goals for the Sky Blues.
Shaw is no stranger to nominations and collecting silverware. She was named Player of the Year for her club, made the list of Best Players last season in England’s WSL and also was named the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Player of the Year.
Her latest distinction is that her name appears as part of the WSL Team of the Year by the The Professional Footballers Association for her outstanding season at Manchester City.
The winners of the next Ballon d’Or will be announced at the ceremony that will take place in Paris, France on September 30.
