Lucy Bronze was named the FIFA Best Women’s Player of 2020 on Thursday, becoming the first fullback — man or woman — to win the award. The England international won the UEFA Champions League title with Lyon for the third straight time (fifth straight for the team) in August before transferring back to Manchester City.
Netherlands head coach Sarina Wiegman was named FIFA Best Women’s Coach for the second time, beating out fellow finalists Emma Hayes of Chelsea FC and Jean-Luc Vasseur of Lyon. Wiegman will take over as England head coach after next summer’s Olympics.
Lyon goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi was honored as best goalkeeper.
The Women’s World XI, which is voted on exclusively by players worldwide, was also revealed — and not without controversy.
- Goalkeeper: Christiane Endler (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea FC Women), Lucy Bronze (Olympique Lyonnais/Manchester City WFC) and Wendie Renard (Olympique Lyonnais)
- Midfielders: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus Women), Verónica Boquete (Utah Royals/AC Milan Women) and Delphine Cascarino (Olympique Lyonnais)
- Forwards: Pernille Harder (VfL Wolfsburg/Chelsea FC Women), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns/Manchester United WFC), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal WFC) and Megan Rapinoe* (OL Reign)
The most curious inclusion on the XI was Megan Rapinoe, who has not played a game since march, opting out of all National Women’s Soccer League competitions and missing the most recent U.S. women’s national team camp.
Rapinoe posted a note to her social media accounts on Thursday thanking her peers for the nomination but conceding that it was unwarranted, and that it highlights the lack of accessibility to women’s games on TV.
So much to be thankful for this year, and so much work still to be done. 🙏❤️ https://t.co/LtwTv8S0Jv pic.twitter.com/Kz8LettjXI
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) December 17, 2020
