Scotland’s
Kim Little is among the nominees for the first ever BBC Women’s Footballer of
the Year award, with the shortlist announced on the BBC World Service on
Sunday.
Little
scored 17 goals in 25 games for Seattle Reign as they won the National Women’s
Soccer League in 2014, and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.
The
24-year-old previously enjoyed success with Arsenal and Hibernian, winning 13
trophies in Britain before signing for Seattle.
“Considering
the competitiveness and the amount of great players there are worldwide, it’s
extremely nice to be recognised,” Little said of her nomination.
Little is joined on the global shortlist by Liverpool’s Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala.
Oshoala,
who joined the Reds in January 2015, was named the best player of the 2014
Under-20 World Cup, and was also top scorer as Nigeria reached the final.
“I worked
hard last year but I am surprised to be nominated and I feel very appreciated,”
said Oshoala.
“This
award is a very good thing for women’s football,” Oshoala continued.
“It can
really help us by encouraging other countries to support their ladies more and
treat them the same way they treat the men.”
The
shortlist is completed by Spain’s Verónica Boquete, Germany’s Nadine Kessler
and Brazilian legend Marta, who joined Oshoala in highlighting the award as a
sign that the women’s game is growing globally.
“When I
was younger I had to overcome many things: I was the only girl and I used to
have to play with the boys.
It was
complicated and difficult. It’s better today – the girls don’t have the same
difficulties being accepted,” Marta said.
Mary
Hockaday, controller of the BBC World Service English said: “The five
shortlisted players represent an incredible array of talent and show the
growing strength of the women’s game.
The vote
is now open to fans to choose their favourite player.”
Fans can
vote online and using their mobile phone or handheld device, at
bbc.com/womensfootball.
The vote
will close on Monday 11th May at 10am, with the winner revealed on the BBC
World Service on 26th May.
The
shortlist was selected by a panel of experts including administrators,
journalists, coaches and former players.
BBC
Women’s Footballer of the Year shortlist
Verónica
Boquete (Spain and FFC Frankfurt)
Nadine
Kessler (Germany and VFL Wolfsburg)
Kim
Little (Scotland and Seattle Reign FC)
Marta
(Brazil and FC Rosengard)
Asisat
Oshoala (Nigeria and Liverpool)
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