USA and Houston Dash forward Carli Lloyd was voted best women’s player for the second year running. Although not a year of success for the United States, Lloyd’s form and goal scoring remained at a high level.
Lloyd fended off challenges from second-placed Marta (Brazil & Rosengård) and Melanie Behringer (Germany & Bayern Munich) who finished third in the voting. Lloyd took 20.68% of the total votes, Marta 16.60% and Behringer 12.34%.
“I’m very honored to win this award again,” Lloyd said. “I play on the best team in the world and this award would not be possible without my extraordinary teammates, who are fantastic competitors. We push each other to be better every day.”
The last of Silvia Neid’s 11 years as Germany’s head coach saw her lead her side to Olympic gold for the first time. Neid topped the poll of national coaches and captains, members of the media and fans ahead of Jill Ellis (USA) winner in 2015 and Pia Sundhage (Sweden). Neid registered 29.99% of the votes, Ellis 16.68% being fractionally more than Sundhage’s 16.47% share.
Image: ISIPhotos.com
Neid, previously FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football in 2010 and 2013, the only multiple winner, said: “I’m overwhelmed, this is a great honour – the third time! My gratitude goes to my team and the team behind the team, the technical staff. Thank you for the years.”
Venezuela’s Daniuska Rodriguez was the only female contender for the FIFA Puskás Award for the best goal of the year. But she finished third as Mohd Faiz Subri of Penang in the Malaysia Super League won and Brazilian Johnath Marlone was runner-up. Subri polled 59.46%, Marlone 22.86% and Rodriguez 10.01%.
Pictured top – Carli Lloyd (Photo: Action Images)
