Shaw misses out on prestigious FifPro XI shortlist

LONDON, England (CMC):

Jamaican superstar Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw is among several high-profile players omitted from the prestigious FifPro Women’s World XI shortlist.

The 26-player shortlist was voted on by players from around the world and remains the only major award determined solely by fellow footballers.

Surprisingly, five of the top 10 finishers in the Ballon d’Or rankings failed to make the shortlist, including Shaw, who placed third in the voting.

Shaw, the reigning Women’s Super League (WSL) Player of the Year, helped Manchester City secure the league and FA Cup double while finishing as the team’s leading scorer with 21 goals in 22 matches.

Malawi star Temwa Chawinga and Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay were also notable omissions, along with Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen and Denmark captain Pernille Harder.

It is not the first time the FifPro shortlist has generated controversy.

Last year, Arsenal and Spain midfielder Mariona Caldentey was left out of the FifPro World XI despite finishing runner-up in the Ballon d’Or voting.

In 2024, when 7,000 women’s footballers cast their votes, four of the top five Ballon d’Or finishers were not included on the shortlist.