Why aren’t more Americans winning the women’s Ballon d’Or? That’s what former USWNT defender Kelley O’Hara was asked on CBS Sports.
Only one American has won it and that was Megan Rapinoe in 2019. This week, Spain’s Alexia Putellas won it for the third time.
“The Ballon d’Or is usually given to a striker,” O’Hara said.
“Our top strikers for the US women's national team are Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman. They've been out with whether that's pregnancy or injury.
“So I think that took away from the potential of having more Americans in the nominations.
“But I think there's so many points around the Ballon d'Or and how it's structured, who votes on it, the calendar, all of these things play into the fact that we usually see a European player win it unless it's a World Cup year.
“The last time we saw an American player win the Ballon d'Or was Megan Rapinoe in 2019. And that was after an epic World Cup individually by her, but then also a win by the U.S.
“So I think if the U.S. can go into next summer and win and they have some players step up and play, you know, have moments in tournaments like Megan Rapinoe did in 2019, I think there's a lot of potential for them to be maybe lifting that trophy for the first time since.
“Now what does an NWSL player have to do to win the Ballon d'Or? They probably have to be MVP of NWSL. They have to be a Golden Boot winner and they probably have to win a World Cup.
“They have to win the NWSL as well. You have to go out and win these top competitions and be the best player within your league as a starting point.
“And then also go and win these international competitions.”
Will we see a USWNT lifting the Ballon d’Or next year? 👀
The Ballon d’Or for women started in 2018. So far, Spain’s Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí won it three times each, Rapinoe won it once, and Norway’s Ada Hegerberg won it once.