Oshoala, Nnadozie missing as FIFPRO releases Women’s World XI nominees

FIFPRO on Wednesday announced 23 nominees for the 2023 World 11 Women’s category and no African player made the list despite the continent’s representatives reaching the round of 16 of the last FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Despite her heroic performances for club and country, Barcelona star Oshoala did not make the list.

The 29-year-old was a key component of Barcelona’s second Champions League title in three years and also became the first African player to score in three consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments.

The Nigerian international is the record holder of CAF POTY award for both men and women category with six awards.

The Super Falcons forward is also the only African female player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or award for the second consecutive year in a row.

Also missing on the list is Super Falcons and Paris FC goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie.

The 2023 African Best Goalkeeper of the Year has saved four penalties combined in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, there of which came during the qualifying playoffs.

She saved two penalties against last season’s UWCL semifinalist, Arsenal, and went on to save another one against last season’s finalist, Wolfsburg, to qualify her team to the group stage for the first time ever, before saving another one against Real Madrid to secure Paris FC first ever win.

The 25-year-old was the hero at the the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after saving a penalty against Olympic champions, Canada, in the opening match and also helped the team to go unbeaten in the group stage for the first time in history.

However, the 23 nominees are those who received the most votes from their peers based on their performances during the period from August 1, 2022 to August 20, 2023 inclusive.

With more than 6,000 votes from the players, only eleven with most votes will make up the World 11 consisting of a goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three attackers, while the last place will be awarded to the remaining field player with the highest number of votes.

FIFA and FIFPRO will announce the World 11 at The Best FIFA Football Awards gala, to be held on Monday January 15, 2024 in London, England.

The World 11 is the only global award awarded exclusively by professional female footballers and nominees must have participated in at least 25 official matches during this period.

LIST OF NOMINEES:

Goalkeepers:

Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham United, Australia)

Mary Earps (Manchester United, England)

Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars, United States)

Defenders:

Lucy Bronze (Barcelona, ​​England)

Olga Carmona (Real Madrid, Spain)

Alex Greenwood (Manchester City, England)

Amanda Ilestedt (Paris Saint-Germain/Arsenal, Sweden )

Ashley Lawrence (Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea, Canada)

Maria León ( Barcelona, ​​Spain)

Irene Paredes (Barcelona, ​​Spain)

Midfielders:

Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona, ​​Spain)

Claudia Pina (Barcelona, ​​Spain)

Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona, ​​Sweden )

Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich, England)

Ella Toone (Manchester United, England)

Keira Walsh (Barcelona, ​​England)

Attackers:

Jennifer Hermoso (Pachuca/Tigres, Spain)

Lauren James (Chelsea, England)

Sam Kerr (Chelsea, Australia)

Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave, USA)

Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona, ​​Spain)

Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg, Germany )

Alessia Russo (Manchester United/Arsenal, England)