‘Bunny’ inspired by Ballon d’Or finish

Ace Reggae Girlz and Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw says her third-place finish in the voting for the prestigious Ballon d’Or Féminin award is an inspiration to the next generation of footballers.

Shaw’s finish is the highest by a Jamaican or Afro-Caribbean player in the history of the award.

“I think it’s something about inspiring the next generation that is to come,” Shaw said in an interview with the BBC following Manchester City Women’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain Women in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Thursday.

“I know a lot of young girls look at me and say, ‘If Bunny can do that, then I can’,” the 29-year-old Jamaican international added.

Shaw also noted that her success did not come overnight.

“It’s not something that just happened.

“To be honest, there is a lot of emotion coming from the small community where I am from,” she said.

Winner Alexia Putellas, formerly of Barcelona and now with London Lionesses in the Women’s Super League, and fellow Spaniard Ewa Pajor of Barcelona finished ahead of Shaw in the voting.