Australian soccer star Sam Kerr has been named the AFC Women’s Player of the Year, marking her second time receiving the prestigious award in a career filled with remarkable achievements. The announcement came during the AFC Annual Awards in Doha, Qatar, with the recognition celebrating Kerr’s incredible talent and contributions to women’s soccer.
Six years after her initial victory, Kerr’s outstanding performance continues to impress fans and football enthusiasts worldwide. Her most recent accolade follows a career-best second-place finish in the Ballon d’Or award, where she was narrowly edged out by Spain and Barcelona sensation Aitana Bonmati.
With this achievement, Sam Kerr joins an exclusive club, including Aya Miyawa (2011, 2012, 2015) and Homare Sawa (2004, 2008), as one of the few players who have clinched the AFC Women’s Player of the Year award multiple times.
Kerr expressed her gratitude and honored her fellow finalists in her acceptance speech, which she delivered via video: “I just want to say what an honor it is to win this award, especially up against some amazing finalists. It has been an amazing year for me and my team, and I want to thank all my teammates, my coaches, my family, and friends—thank you very much again.”
A Year of Remarkable Achievements
Throughout the year, Kerr’s performances have been nothing short of stellar. Her contributions to Chelsea led the team to victory in the Women’s Super League (WSL), where she scored an impressive 12 league goals. Kerr also played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s Women’s FA Cup triumph and helped the team reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Kerr’s exceptional efforts on the field garnered her recognition as the Football Writers Association Women’s Footballer of the Year for the second consecutive season.
On the international stage, Kerr’s journey was marked by an unfortunate calf injury on the eve of the World Cup. Nevertheless, her determination and resilience allowed her to make a triumphant return in time for the knockout stages, contributing significantly to Australia’s best-ever finish in the tournament.
Kerr’s recent honor is a testament to her extraordinary soccer career and unwavering commitment to excellence on and off the field. As she returns to action with the Matildas, Australian soccer fans eagerly anticipate her continued success and stellar contributions to the sport.
The AFC Annual Awards also recognized other notable figures in soccer, such as Saudi Arabian attacker Salem Al Dawsari, who received the AFC Men’s Player of the Year award. Matildas star Mary Fowler was nominated for the AFC Women’s Youth Player of the Year, highlighting the depth of talent in Australian soccer. In addition, Football Australia received the Gold award in the AFC President Recognition Awards for Grassroots Football, further emphasizing the nation’s commitment to fostering soccer at all levels.
Originally posted 2023-11-01 20:34:02.
