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Ballon d’Or Shortlist 2019: Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan favourites to receive the women’s honour

Four United States World Cup-winning players find their names in the shortlist with Tobin Heath, Rose Lavelle, Morgan and Rapinoe all included in the list.

Ballon d’Or Shortlist 2019:  Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan favourites to receive the women’s honour

United States' forward Alex Morgan (2R) and United States' forward Megan Rapinoe (R) celebrate a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group F football match between USA and Thailand, on June 11, 2019, at the Auguste-Delaune Stadium in Reims, eastern France. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP)

Star women footballers Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Lucy Bronze lead the list of nominees for the 2019 Ballon d’Or Feminin or the Women’s Ballon d’Or in the second year of the awards.

Renowned football publication “France Football” revealed its 20-women shortlist on Monday. The publication emphasised, in particular, the success stories of the Lyon and United States.

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Notably, Women’s Champions League winner Lyon has as many as six of its players on the list including 2018 Ballon d’Or Feminine winner Ada Hegerberg. However, she is not among the favourites to lift the award since she was not part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup which USA went on to win.

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Four United States World Cup-winning players find their names in the shortlist with Tobin Heath, Rose Lavelle, Morgan and Rapinoe all included in the list.

It is expected to be a tough fight for the title between Rapinoe and Morgan. While Morgan is considered by many as the favourites to win the title, the Reign FC star was absolutely superb in the Women’s World Cup, finishing the tournament with the joint highest number of goals along with Ellen White and Morgan. She also provided three assists to her credit.

Rapinoe won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball in France before bagging The Best FIFA Women’s player year award, edging out none other than Morgan herself while Lucy Bronze had finished third.

Here is the 20-member shortlist for 2019 Ballon d’Or Feminin:

Lucy Bronze (Lyon), Ellen White (Manchester City), Sam Kerr (Chicago Red Stars), Nilla Fischer (Wolfsburg), Amandine Henry (Lyon), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal), Dzenifer Marozsan (Lyon), Pernille Harder (Wolfsburg), Sarah Bouhaddi (Lyon), Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC), Lieke Martens (Barcelona), Sari van Veenendal (Atletico Madrid), Wendie Renard (Lyon), Rose Lavelle (Washington Spirit), Marta (Orlando Pride), Ada Hegerberg (Lyon), Kosovare Asllani, Sofia Jakobsson (both CD Tacon/Real Madrid), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns).

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