Matildas star Sam Kerr makes FIFA player of the year shortlist

Matildas star Sam Kerr has been shortlisted for the prestigious FIFA player of the year award.

Matildas striker Sam Kerr celebrates a goal against Brazil in the Tournament Of Nations earlier this month.

Sam Kerr is already regarded in some quarters as the best in the world, but the Matildas star is now one step closer to official validation and a place in Australian soccer history after being shortlisted for FIFA’s 2017 player of the year award.

Capping what has been a standout year for the West Australian, Kerr has been named as one of 10 nominees for the prestigious award, which will be announced later this year.

It was not all good news, however, with Matildas coach Alen Stajcic missing out on a nomination for women’s coach of the year, despite some outstanding results and taking Australia to No 7 in the world rankings.

Stajcic has done a remarkable job with the Matildas. This year alone they have had five wins from seven games, including a stunning victory over the US and a 6-1 demolition of Brazil on the way to winning the Tournament of Nations.

Australia’s most capped player, Lisa De Vanna, summed up the displeasure of many Australian fans over Stajcic’s snub, posting on Twitter: “Endless amount of achievements in the past 3yrs and not to be nominated for the AFC or FIFA coach of year! Is absolute bullshit!!”

Still, as much as there was disappointment for Stajcic, the news regarding Kerr has put Australian soccer on a high. No Australian player, male or female, has figured in the top 10 in the vote for the best player in the world.

Socceroos greats Harry Kewell (2001) and Tim Cahill (2006) were nominated in the top 50 for FIFA’s Ballon d’Or but both failed to get a single vote while Massimo Luongo was on a list of 60 in 2015 but did not make the final cut.

Kerr is already guaranteed a top-10 finish but is expected to make the cut for the final three when voting closes on September 7.

The award is decided by votes from all the captains of the national teams (25 per cent), all the coaches of the national teams (25 per cent), a public ballot via FIFA (25 per cent) and a group of 200 international media representatives (25 per cent).

The quietly spoken 23-year-old has taken her game to a new level this year, producing time and again for club — both here with Perth Glory and in the US with Sky Blue FC — and country. Kerr played a massive role in Australia’s win in the Tournament of ­Nations, finishing as top scorer, including her hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Japan. It was during the tournament that Australia beat the US 1-0 — a historic first win against the Americans.

At club level, she has scored 11 times for Sky Blue FC and is sitting in equal second spot on the league’s leading goalscorers’ list, one behind US international Megan Rapinoe.

Despite the attention, Kerr is keeping her feet on the ground.

“It’s exciting and a massive honour,” Kerr said via Football Federation Australia’s website.

“There are some great players in that list and all I can say at the moment is that it’s very humbling and a great honour to be shortlisted for this accolade.

“I think I’ve said it a thousand times over the past two weeks … I’m not one to read things about myself or get carried away, but it’s nice to feel the love from people.

“I’m injury-free, which has helped, and it has been my first opportunity to play competitive football without any niggles for over a year, so I’m fit and healthy and really enjoying being out there playing.”

Kerr will be back in action next month when the Matildas play Brazil at Pepper Stadium, Penrith, on November 16 and again three days later at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.