Matildas defender Steph Catley has received her first-ever nomination for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, making her the sole Australian contender among 30 players contending for the women’s award. In contrast, no Australian men were included on the men’s shortlist. The 31-year-old Catley played a significant role in Arsenal’s successful Women’s Super League campaign last season, with six of her teammates also being nominated.
This nomination marks Catley as the third Australian woman to be recognised for the Ballon d’Or since its introduction seven years ago. Sam Kerr has achieved five nominations without clinching the award, while Hayley Raso received a nomination this year following the Matildas’ impressive performance during the World Cup.
The announcing of both men’s and women’s nominees was made by France Football magazine, with the winners to be unveiled at a ceremony in Paris on September 23. Among the men’s nominees are Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé, who helped his team secure the Champions League title alongside a domestic treble, and Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal, who made notable contributions during their successful season.
For the women’s award, Catley will face stiff competition from fellow nominees, including England’s Chloe Kelly, and her teammates Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton, both of whom play for Chelsea. They will also contend against Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí, who has won the award in the last two years, contributing to a significant dominance for the club in the women’s category, where they have secured the last four titles.
As the event approaches, anticipation grows for the ceremony, where the football world will celebrate the achievements of both men’s and women’s football.