Considering how long Sophia Smith could be a staple of the women’s soccer world, a first crack at the Ballon d’Or Féminin award on Monday didn’t reflect how far she can climb in the seasons ahead.
Smith, the 23-year-old Windsor phenom for the United States Women’s National Team and Portland Thorns of the NWSL, finished 25th out of 29 finalists in her first nomination for the award, which was announced at a ceremony in Paris. FC Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati won the award and it marked the third successive year in which a player from the famed Spanish club has won the most prestigious individual award in world soccer. Meanwhile, Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi won the men’s award for a record eighth time.
The award is presented annually by French Football, a magazine, and is voted on by a panel of 50 journalists from across the globe. The trophy is given to the male and female soccer player deemed to have the best performance for both their club and country over the course of a calendar year.
Smith scored 22 goals and added eight assists in 39 appearances for Portland between both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. She was the 2022 NWSL MVP and helped the Thorns to the 2022 championship and was also U.S. Soccer’s Female Player of the Year. In 2023, Smith won the NWSL Golden Boot for most goals scored this season with 11.
Smith was the only American nominated for the award and was one of just nine non-European players up for it. All-time, she is the second Coloradan to be nominated for the award: Lindsey Horan finished 10th in 2018, the first year a female version of the award was given out.
Smith will now prepare for the NWSL postseason, which begins this weekend with a semifinal against NY/NJ Gotham FC at 5 p.m. Sunday in Portland. She’s also one of five finalists for the 2023 league MVP.
