The woman from Dunfermline has done it once again with back-to-back Ballon d’Or nominations.
After yesterday’s announcement for the most coveted prize in football — the Ballon d’Or — one Scottish name stood out from the rest: Caroline Weir. The only Scottish player nominated for the award this season, she is also the first female Scottish player to receive a nomination twice in her career.
Weir is more than deserving of her back-to-back nominations. This season alone, she has netted 20 goals and provided seven assists in 39 matches for her club, Real Madrid, whom she left at the end of the season to join French side OL Lyonnes.
Coupled with an unbelievable scoring season for the midfielder, she also ended her campaign on a high after being crowned the club’s top scorer, as well as its all-time leading goalscorer.
It’s not just at club level that the 31-year-old continues to flourish; she also brings the same intensity and passion to the Scotland women’s team. Throughout the campaign, as Scotland dream of the all-important World Cup qualification, Weir has scored ten goals in her last five games for the national side.
The Scotland captain is also aiming to mark another successful campaign by ending Scotland’s seven-year exile from the World Cup, with qualification for the prestigious competition now within touching distance.
Understandably, the winner of this prize is decided based on last season alone, and as such, Weir is up against some fierce competition in the 30-player shortlist, with England’s Alex Greenwood and Alessia Russo, as well as Spain’s Alexia Putellas, all notable mentions.
Weir, however, possesses that winning mentality. Having dominated throughout her career, she has played across six different leagues, gained 107 caps for the national side, won eight titles and graced the Champions League stage with her undeniable talent.
Weir would be a more than worthy winner of the award, given the standard she has set across women’s football and the belief and determination she has instilled in the women’s game.
The whole of Scotland has its fingers crossed for Caroline Weir, and with the stage set for Paris later in the autumn, could Scotland be home to a Ballon d’Or champion?
