USA defender Ali Krieger has tipped her teammate Megan Rapinoe to win the next Ballon d'Or following her stellar showing at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The forward was once again involved in the goals as Jill Ellis' ladies beat Netherlands 2-0 to defend their status as world champions on Sunday.
Rapinoe who scored six goals in five matches at the tournament received a befitting recognition, scooping the Golden Ball as well as the Golden Boot at the end of the proceeding. At 34, the Reign FC striker has possibly featured in her last World Cup for the USWNT and, according to her teammate Ali Krieger, she deserves to be honored with the Ballon d'Or Feminin.
"The Ballon d'Or next year? I hope Megan [Rapinoe] gets it," she told Live Soccer TV's Angela Asante after the final match.
"Not only because she is one of my closest friends but because she deserves it. She proved herself at this tournament and she proves herself everyday.
"I see her, I train against her everyday. She is unmatched and in my eyes she is the best player in the world. She deserves it [the Ballon d'Or]
"She's carried our team and has become such a great leader. Not only on the field but off the field for us and the way she represents herself and us as a group is unmatched.
"It is incredible to be one of her closest friends and teammate and I am inspired by her everyday."
The Ballon d'Or Feminin was instituted in 2018 and the inaugural edition was won by Norway and Lyon forward Ada Hegerberg. Despite boycotting the World Cup with Norway, the 23-year-old forward stands as the obvious rival for Megan Rapinoe at the 2019 edition of the awards after leading her club to another league title and UEFA Champions League success last season.
