Fans in an uproar as Sam Kerr snubbed again for FIFA Best Women’s Player of the Year

Fans worldwide are expressing their dismay and frustration after the omission of Sam Kerr, the prolific Australian striker, from the final three contenders for the FIFA Best Women’s Player of the Year award.

Despite an outstanding season for both club and country, Kerr finds herself sidelined as Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso, along with teammate Aitana Bonmati, secure a place on the coveted shortlist.

#TheBest FIFA Women’s Player Finalists! 🏆🤩

🇪🇸 Aitana Bonmati
🇨🇴 Linda Caicedo
🇪🇸 Jennifer Hermoso

Learn more about the final three. 👀🧵

— FIFA Women’s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) December 14, 2023

Kerr, who finished as the runner-up in October’s Ballon d’Or Féminin, widely regarded as the pinnacle of individual football honours, was expected to contend strongly for the FIFA Best title.

The Chelsea striker played a pivotal role in her club’s success, securing the FA Cup and Women’s Super League double. Additionally, she overcame injury setbacks to propel Australia to the World Cup semi-finals, where she delivered a stunning goal against England, considered by many as the highlight of the tournament.

Despite these remarkable achievements, Kerr has once again been overlooked for the prestigious award. The latest snub marks the third time she has missed out on the final three editions of the Ballon d’Or Féminin, having finished third in the FIFA Best Women’s Player of the Year award in 2021.

Not only did Kerr miss out on the individual recognition, but her awe-inspiring goal against England, a moment that captivated football enthusiasts worldwide, also failed to secure a place in the final three for the Puskas Award as Best Goal. Instead, the spotlight shifted to dazzling efforts from Brighton’s Julio Encisco, Novorizontino’s Guilherme Madruga, and Sporting’s Nuno Santos.

Adding to the disappointment, Kerr’s fellow Matildas, Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord, who were initially on the 16-woman longlist for the FIFA Best title, were also left out of the final shortlist, raising eyebrows and leaving fans questioning the selection criteria.

In an overwhelming response that echoed louder than any stadium chant ever could, disappointed fans flooded social media with a torrent of impassioned and fiery comments, expressing their collective outrage at Kerr’s shocking omission.

How is Sam Kerr not in this list? What a joke. How do you finish 2nd in the Ballon D’or and yet not make the top 3 here?! Caicedo should not be in this list, not yet.

— Nicole (@nrstanley01) December 14, 2023

Linda Caideco is a good player I reckon, but wasn’t even the best player for Real Madrid last szn; This goes to show she got here through sympathy which is unfair to likes of Keira Walsh, Sam Kerr, Asisat,etc. to name but a few. FIFA needs to do better tbh…

— favourreality (@FIkwuoma) December 14, 2023

How is kerr not top 2??

— 🤺 (@Lekan_Oriade) December 14, 2023

That is a shame list. What is Linda Caicedo doing there? Graham Hansen, Kerr, Hemp, Salma, Mariona, Patri Guijarro, Mapi Leon and many more deserve to be before.

— Pau Fuster Martínez (@paufuster13) December 14, 2023

rigged. How did Sam Kerr not make it? How did caicedo make it? More fuming mystery questions about fifa.

— Jayden (@De3troyerz) December 14, 2023

Kerr’s extraordinary contributions to the sport this year have left many questioning how such stellar performances can be overlooked on the grand stage of football recognition.

-with AAP.