By Ian Chadband
Sam Kerr has once again been recognised for her continuing excellence, nominated on the shortlist for FIFA’s The Best awards.
The Chelsea and Matildas striker heads a list of 14 stars. The men’s list has Lionel Messi as its outstanding favourite and Cristiano Ronaldo not included for the first time.
Kerr has been recognised after another stellar season for club and country, winning the FA Cup and Women’s Super League double with Chelsea while also taking the Golden Boot as the leading scorer in England for a second straight season.
The 2022 Players’ Player of the Year was also Australia’s top scorer in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, but has formidable opposition in the quest for the big prize after finishing second in the same awards last year behind Alexia Putellas.
Kerr has also finished third in voting behind winner Putellas for the other major global award, the Ballon d’Or Feminin, over the last two years.
The Barcelona star Putellas is again on the list despite missing much of last year with injury.
Sam Kerr finished second in voting for last year’s FIFA Best award.Credit:AP
She is alongside three of the England team who triumphed at the Women’s Euros — top scorer Beth Mead, captain Leah Williamson and midfielder Keira Walsh — and Kerr’s Canadian teammate at Chelsea, Jessie Fleming.
Messi also heads a list of 14, featuring 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, two-time winner Robert Lewandowski, Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City scoring sensation Erling Haaland.
The other Australian nominated in the ‘FIFA Best’ lists is Alou Kuol, elder brother of Newcastle wunderkind Garang, who’s in line for the ‘Puskas Award’ for best goal of the calendar year.
The 21-year-old scored a stunning ‘scorpion kick’ effort for the Australia’s under-23 side against Iran and will have his effort judged against 10 other belters, including Mbappe’s dazzling second in the World Cup final.
Garang Kuol, meanwhile, believes he has made the right decision to join three of his Socceroos colleagues in a loan deal at Scottish top-flight club Hearts for the rest of his season.
The brilliant 18-year-old attacker finally sealed his deal on Thursday after his Premier League club were inundated with offers for the services of the lad hailed as the hottest prospect in the Australian game.
Fresh from his heroics at the World Cup where he became the youngest player since Pele to feature in the knockout rounds, Newcastle are content Kuol will get valuable experience of the British game alongside Kye Rowles, Cammy Devlin and Nathaniel Atkinson.
“I am very happy to be here. I can’t wait to play here in front of these amazing fans. I just felt it was a great team, with great fans, a great stadium, and a great history,” Kuol told Hearts TV after the deal was sealed.
Hearts’ Socceroos contingent has grown to four with Garang Kuol (second left) joining Nathaniel Atkinson, Cammy Devlin and Kye Rowles.Credit:Getty
“The gaffer (manager Robbie Neilson) also persuaded me to come here with the plan that he put to me for my development.
“Overall, the club has great ambitions and goals and that was something I wanted to be involved in. I think it was a very good decision.”
Kuol knew Rowles well in their spell at the Central Coast Mariners.
“He was one of the senior players at the time, but he is a great guy and someone who has helped me a lot,” said Kuol. “As for Cammy, I have known him since about September and we just struck up a connection straight away.
Garang Kuol last month became the youngest player since the late Pele to feature in the World Cup’s knockout stages.Credit:Getty Images
“I met all the other lads today and all they seem great lads and I can’t wait to get to know them more.”
Kuol could go straight into the squad for Friday night’s Premiership match with St Mirren if he can get his international clearance in time.
Elsewhere, another of Kerr’s Matildas teammates has secured a move to England.
Striker Remy Siemsen has signed for Leicester City, calling her challenging move from Sydney FC “a dream come true”.
Remy Siemsen in action against Portugal in June.Credit:Getty
The 23-year-old completed her third spell at Sydney with an appearance for the club on Christmas Eve but could be pitched straight into action for the struggling Foxes when the WSL resumes with Leicester’s home game against Brighton on Sunday.
“To be joining such a prestigious club is exciting for myself and my family,” Siemsen told Leicester’s website.
“We’ve all grown up watching English football, and being able to come across and play with a club like Leicester City is a dream come true. Everyone has been so welcoming and I feel right at home already.”
AAP
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