Beth Mead, Lena Oberdorf and Alexia Putellas have been announced as the top three nominees for the 2021/22 UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award.
The three players were selected from an initial shortlist of 22, chosen by the UEFA technical study group based on performances for club and country during the 2021/22 season.
A panel consisting of journalists and coaches from clubs competing in the 2021/22 Champions League group stage and nations at Euro 2022 then narrowed the shortlist down to a top three, with Mead, Oberdorf and Putellas receiving the most votes.
Having missed out on a spot in Team GB’s Tokyo Olympic squad last summer, Mead enjoyed a stunning season with Arsenal, chipping in with 11 goals and eight assists as the Gunners narrowly missed out on the WSL title on the final day of the season.
The England star contributed 12 goals and 10 assists in just eight World Cup qualifier appearances and took her fine form for her country into the summer’s European Championship. She finished as the Euro 2022 golden boot winner and player of the tournament with six goals and four assists as England were crowned European champions for the first time.
Oberdorf also enjoyed an impressive Euro 2022, being named the young player of the tournament after steering Germany to the final with a series of intelligent, mature and combative displays.
On top of her international feats, the 20-year-old claimed a domestic double with Wolfsburg and reached the Champions League semi finals.
Current UEFA Women’s Player of the Year Alexia Putellas is in with a shot of defending her crown after enjoyed the most prolific season of her career during the 2021/22 campaign.
The midfielder netted 34 goals as Barcelona enjoyed another year of domestic dominance. She finished as the Champions League’s top scorer with 11 goals as her side finished runner-up to Lyon. However, an ACL injury on the eve of Euro 2022 saw Putellas heartbreakingly sit out the summer.
The UEFA Women’s Player of the Year winner will be revealed on Thursday 25 August as part of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony at the Haliç Congress Center in Istanbul.
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