BALLON D'OR
The one obstacle to USA’s Ballon d’Or glory
Sophia Smith was second only to Barcelona's trident as the highest-ranked USWNT player.
The Ballon d’Or gala – which you can relive with AS USA – placed four players from the United States Women’s National Team in the Top 10 nominees for France Football’s Best Women’s Player of the Year, with Sophia Smith ranking highest at fourth place.
Smith can’t top Barcelona trio
The Portland Thorns forward in the NWSL has become a leader in the generational shift within the USWNT. As the offensive spearhead under Emma Hayes, she played a pivotal role in winning Olympic gold by scoring the decisive goal that sent the US to the tournament final.
Smith ended last season as the league’s top scorer with 11 goals, and this season, she has already matched that tally with a few games remaining in the regular season. Smith is now one of the irreplaceable players for Hayes and boasts an impressive collection of honors with the national team, including a Gold Cup and an Olympic medal, both earned in the first half of 2024.
Smith finished in fourth place, just behind Aitana Bonmatí, who retained her title as the world’s best for the second consecutive year. Caroline Graham and Salma Paralluelo took the other podium places, with the American star close behind.
How many USWNT players were in Top 10 Ballon d’Or 2024?
In addition to Smith’s appearance, four other Americans made it onto the list.
Lindsey Horan, the USWNT captain, took fifth place, Mallory Swanson finished in sixth, and Trinity Rodman in ninth. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher also placed, rounding out the rankings for US players at 17th.