Sawa Snaps Marta’s Ballon d’Or Streak

Sawa potentially begins her Ballon d'Or reign as Messi continues his own, picking up his third in as many years.Sawa potentially begins her Ballon d'Or reign as Messi continues his own, picking up his third in as many years.

If history is anything to go by, expect 2011 Women’s World Cup winner Homare Sawa to be collecting her second Ballon d’Or prize this time next year. At the World Cup, Sawa also won the tournament best player and top scorer trophies.

Marta had won five years running as the top female player in the world, but no more. At least not for now. (The Brazilian is considered the best female player ever, after all.)

Japanese midfielder Sawa is only the fourth woman to win the award, inaugurated in 2001, because curiously no woman has never won simply once, not to mention consecutively.

Mia Hamm won the first two, in 2001 and 2002. Germany’s Birgit Prinz then carried home three between 2003 and 2005, before Marta’s five brought us to the current day.

Marta and American striker Abby Wambach were the other two finalists for the award.

Oh yeah, and Messi won his third. In a row.

About the author

Rob writes about soccer to discover why it's so wildly popular in America and yet so scorned everywhere else.

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