US World Cup winner Carli Lloyd gets FIFA world player award

It hasn’t affected the men’s game in recent years, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi holding off players who out-performed them in World Cups, but the 2002 and 2006 awards went to the top players at those World Cups, Ronaldo and Fabio Cannavaro. Overcoming both doubts about the US team’s capacity to win the crown and a lackluster performance in group play, the British-born, Virginia-schooled Ellis made adjustments in the knockout stage to steer the Americans to authoritative displays against top-ranked Germany in the semifinals and defending champion Japan in the final. “Now I can thank you for that”.

And to celebrate all the excitement, Nike unveiled special-edition “Leave Your Legacy” cleats that Lloyd will wear on January 23 in San Diego during the national team’s next game. Lloyd finished first in voting by coaches and captains of women’s national teams from around the world.

Miyama was the creative force behind Japan’s push to the final but missed out on becoming the second Japanese player to win the award as Lloyd took the top prize.

Carli Lloyd has been named as the Women’s World Player of the Year for 2015.

The 33-year-old, who was emotional when collecting her trophy, beat Aya Miyama of Japan and Germany’s Celia Sasic to the award.

“She stood out by scoring six World Cup goals, including a stunning hat trick in the opening 16 minutes of a 5-2 rout of Japan in the final”.

Lloyd won the Golden Ball at the tournament for her fine form and leadership.

Federation Internationale de Football Association voters, however, overlooked Lloyd’s 55-yard wonder strike for the Puskas Award (goal of the year).

“Wow, a true honour”, Ellis said. Swede Pia Sundhage won the award in 2012 after leading the U.S. to the Olympic gold medal in London. Wambach had been a finalist in each of the last four years. “Success is truly a team effort, and as a coach, we are all a product of the players and coaches we’ve worked with over so many years”.

“It’s awesome to be part of an incredible football family”, Ellis said. “I could not do this without their unconditional love and support”. “She is very deserving of this honor”. Her 2016 hasn’t started off too bad either.