Ranking favourites to win UEFA Women's Player of the Year 2022-23

Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and two Spanish Women’s World Cup winners were named in the final three

On August 25, 2023, UEFA finally revealed the top three female players shortlisted for the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award. The winner is set to be announced on August 31st at France’s Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. So a few days await the eventual winner to get their hands on the trophy. UEFA have planned to recognise the winner when the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony takes place.

Last time around, FC Barcelona women’s team captain Alexia Putellas garnered the headlines. She became the first-ever player to retain the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year recognition in succession after winning the 2021-22 UEFA Women’s Player of the Year. Her first came for the season 2020-21. Last season, however, due to an ACL injury on her left knee, Putellas was kept sidelined from the field for most of the season and eventually also from being inducted into the shortlist. She did, however, show up for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which Spain ultimately won.

Anyway, another FC Barcelona star has made a name for herself this season. Aitana Bonmatí led her national team, Spain, to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup title as she won the competition’s Golden Ball award. Alongside her, Real Madrid women’s player Olga Carmona grabbed the headlines after her goal won the World Cup finals. And to give competition, Australia’s very own Sam Kerr is also vying for the 2022-23 UEFA Women’s Player of the Year. We have proposed what the final ranking could look like on August 31:

UEFA Women’s Player of the Year 2022-23 top three prediction

3. Olga Carmona (Real Madrid CF and Spain)

The Spain federation and fans throughout the country are surely thankful for the goal that clinched the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in their favour. Olga Carmona’s only goal in the 29th minute of the World Cup finals against England served as the difference between the sides. She was thus awarded the MVP for her exploits in the finals held at Stadium Australia.

At the club level with Real Madrid CF, the forward wasn’t able to help them qualify from the Group Stages in the Champions League. Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain moved ahead from Group A, where Madrid was left in third place. It is clear Carmona didn’t have a season as big as her Spanish counterpart, Aitana Bonmatí. However, she has marked a spot in history for her goal that helped Spain triumph in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. It is the very first time the Spain team has lifted the Women’s World Cup.

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2. Sam Kerr (Chelsea FC and Australia)

From the same Group A of the 2022-23 UEFA Women’s Champions League, where Olga Carmona and Real Madrid’s women’s team were left out. Chelsea went on to finish as the group leader. However, Chelsea’s run in the Champions League with Kerr was halted when they met FC Barcelona. FC Barcelona got the better of English side Chelsea by a goal margin in the semi-final stages. Still, Sam Kerr had a stellar season domestically. Her 29 goals in all competitions helped Chelsea win the FA Women’s Super League title along with the Women’s FA Cup.

Internationally, the bow out happened just like the UEFA Women’s Champions League for Sam Kerr. In the semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, England got the better of the Australians. A 3-1 defeat to England was devastating for Australia, which also served as one of the hosts for the competition. However, Kerr’s strike in the 63rd minute from outside the box after a dash from her own half easily was ‘one of the best’ goals of the competition, if not ‘the best’.

1. Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona and Spain)

Aitana Bonmatí emerges as the prime contender for the 2022-23 UEFA Women’s Player of the Year. She had an amazing season both at club level and internationally.

At FC Barcelona, the club was obviously worried about not having their main star, Alexia Putellas, for the 2022-23 season. But the worry soon faded away when her teammate, the 25-year-old Bonmatí started to step up. Barcelona ended up winning the La Liga and Champions League titles in the women’s category. And this was not it; Bonmatí took her form with herself when she stepped onto the biggest football competition, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Her standout performances for Spain in the FIFA Women’s World Cup helped her nation eventually lift the title. She was so good that her efforts were rewarded with the Golden Ball award. Recognised as MVP in both the World Cup and Champions League, Bonmatí’s influence transcends statistics. While Sam Kerr and Olga Carmona shine, Bonmatí’s dual domestic and international success positions her as the deserving frontrunner. Her 2022-23 season, in a few words, was 19 goals and 21 assists.

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