SOCCER
Real Madrid star Linda Caicedo in contention to be crowned Reina de América
Colombian youngster Caicedo is one of three finalists for an award given to the best female player in South America.
Her career may only just be beginning, but Colombian superstar Linda Caicedo is in the running for yet another award. The Real Madrid forward was one of the finalists for the Best Women’s Player of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards following her excellent performances an international level, and she has now also made it to the final three for the Reina de América prize, which is part of the América le responde a El País (America responds to El País) awards, run by Uruguayan daily newspaper El País.
Who is Caicedo competing with for the Reina de América prize?
Caicedo will be up against Yamila Rodríguez of Argentina and Brazilian Bia Zaneratto, both of whom play their club soccer for Palmeiras in Brazil. The Reina de América prize, given to the best female player in South America, was added to the awards last year and won by Brazilian left-back Tamires, who stars for Corinthians in her homeland. Caicedo would therefore become the first Colombian winner of the award. Despite still being in its relatively early stages, 2023 has already been a great year for the youngster, who celebrated her 18th birthday by signing for Spanish giants Real Madrid. And big things are yet to come, with the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup set to take place in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.
When are the award winners announced? Who decides the winners?
As reported by El País of Uruguay, “the results of the 37th edition of the América le responde a El País awards will be announced on Wednesday 15 March”. The best players in the South America will be selected by 218 journalists across the continent.
Who are the male finalists?
The three finalists in the men’s category are: Flamengo’s Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Argentine World Cup winner Julián Álvarez of Manchester City and Brazilian striker Pedro Guilherme, who also plays for Flamengo. Carlos Valderrama, Teo Gutiérrez and Miguel Ángel Borja are previous Colombian winners of the men’s award.
Caicedo’s first Real Madrid goal
Caicedo’s time in Madrid has got off to a solid start. She has started once and come off the bench twice, netting an important goal which helped her new club reach for the final four of the Copa del la Reina. Many believe the young Colombian to be the best player on the continent but will the awards reflect that?