REAL MADRID FEMENINO
Linda Caicedo wins Reina de América 2022 award
The Colombian was chosen by the Uruguayan newspaper El País, beating Bia Zaneratto and Yamila Rodríguez.
Linda Caicedo can add one more achievement to her long resumé. At just 18 she has become the Reina de América after winning the vote by a landslide victory carried out by the Uruguayan newspaper El País, in which the selected journalists put her top of the pile. She came above the Brazilian champion from América, Bia Zaneratto, and the Argentinian Yamila Rodríguez who plays for Palmeiras and won the Copa Libertadores Femenina 2022. The Colombian was runner-up in the U-17 World Cup (losing to Spain) and came second with the senior team in the Copa América, as well as being was the best South American, according to the IFFHS.
218 journalists had the job of choosing the best football players in America during the 2022 season. On this occasion, “Linda Caicedo showed that, at the age of 18, she is already one of the most outstanding players on the continent and in the world, but the truth is that today she is the Queen of America”, published the newspaper, referring to the award that the Colombian received.
Linda Caicedo also surpasses Megan Rapinoe and Christiane Endler
There were 31 players nominated for the award in South America; after the vote it became known that the world champion Megan Rapinoe was also on the list - who got just two - as well as the Chilean goalkeeper Endler, who received one. There were also players like Alex Morgan (1) and the Mexican Charlyn Corral (1).
Along with Linda Caicedo were the Colombians Catalina Usme, who had a great season with América (3 votes, 8th place) and Carolina Arias, who had a great 2022 with Deportivo Cali, came 21st.
This is the top 5 of the votes for the Queen of America 2022
- Linda Caicedo (Colombia): 76 votes
- Bia Zaneratto (Brazil): 21
- Yamila Rodríguez (Argentina): 20
- Ary Borges (Brazil): 7
- Duda Sampaio (Brazil): 7
From Queen of America to Real Madrid
2022 was an unforgettable year for Linda Caicedo: she was the second best player in the world in the year behind Alexia Putellas at the Globe Soccer Awards, FIFA awarded her the Bronze Boot for goals at the Under-17 World Cup in India and she received the Silver Ball for being the second best player in the tournament. Her achievements put her on the international radar where she inevitably became the number one target for various teams in Europe.
Although there was speculation about a transfer to Barcelona, in the end it was Real Madrid who signed her on February 24, just days after she turned 18 and became able to sign for a European club. Her impact was immediate: she scored the goal that allowed Madrid to advance to the semi-finals of the Copa de la Reina. Her league debut came in a 1-5 win against Alhama and coach Alberto Toril had the confidence to play her from the beginning of the Madrid derby that ended 0-0.
Linda Caicedo has already left her mark in South America; now she is going to Europe where she hopes to consolidate a career in football that will also help her continue contributing to the Colombian National Team, which in July and August 2023 will play the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.