BALLON D'OR
Does the American Sophia Smith have a chance of winning the 2023 Ballon d’Or?
USWNT and Portland Thorns forward Smith is the only American among the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, which is to be presented on Monday.
The USWNT’s Sophia Smith is the sole American on the shortlist for the 2023 women’s Ballon d’Or, which is to be presented at a ceremony in Paris on Monday.
Smith, 23, is among the 30 contenders after starring in the US league for champions Portland Thorns - but the US’s poor Women’s World Cup campaign makes her an outsider to win the France Football award.
NWSL MVP - but endured disappointment down under
The forward was named MVP in the 2022 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), and was on the scoresheet as the Thorns beat the Kansas City Current in the championship game to lift their third national title.
After netting 14 times for Portland last season, Smith has continued to bang in the goals in 2023, racking up 14 in 18 NWSL appearances to win the regular-season top-scorer award. The Thorns face NJ/NY Gotham FC in the semi-finals next weekend.
However, Smith’s Ballon d’Or chances appear to be fatally undermined by the USWNT’s historic last-16 exit from the World Cup - the first time the Stars and Stripes have ever failed to reach the tournament’s semi-finals.
Appearing at her first World Cup, Smith began with two goals and an assist in the USWNT’s 3-0 opening victory over Vietnam, but could not prevent the Americans from slipping to defeat on penalties to Sweden in the first knockout round.
Smith had the chance to win the shootout against the Scandinavians, but missed the target. Kelley O’Hara then also failed from the spot for the US, before Sweden’s Lina Hurtig converted her kick to dump out the four-time world champions.
Who are the Ballon d’Or favourites?
Spain and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí, who has already been named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year, is the overwhelming favourite for the Ballon d’Or.
The midfielder led the Spanish to their first ever World Cup triumph in Australia and New Zealand, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
Bonmatí was also chosen as the outstanding individual in the 2022/23 Women’s Champions League, having been instrumental in securing Barça’s second European title.
The frontrunners for the 2023 Ballon d’Or also include Bonmatí's Spain team-mate Olga Carmona, who scored La Roja’s winner in their World Cup final victory over England, earning player-of-the-match honours.
The only goalkeeper on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, England’s Mary Earps has established herself as the world’s best between the sticks, receiving the World Cup Golden Glove as the finals’ outstanding custodian. This year, she became the first woman to keep 50 career clean sheets in England’s Women’s Super League.
Australia’s Sam Kerr, who helped Chelsea to the 2022/23 WSL title and scored the winner in the 2023 Women’s FA Cup final, is also listed among the chief contenders.
Although she missed much of the Australians’ World Cup campaign through injury, Kerr returned to score a candidate for goal of the tournament in the Matildas’ semi-final defeat to England.
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Ballon d’Or gala: when, where, how to watch?
The 2023 Ballon d’Or gala is to take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France, on Monday 30 October 2023. The red carpet is scheduled to begin at 2pm ET/11am PT, while the ceremony itself is expected to get underway at 3:45pm ET/12:45pm PT.
Viewers in the United States will be able to enjoy the event on the streaming service Paramount+.
In addition to the men’s and women’s Ballons d’Or, a number of other awards are to be presented at the gala. They include the Kopa Trophy, for the best under-21 men’s player, and the Yashin Trophy, for the best men’s goalkeeper.