Monday 27 September 2021, 22:00

Lucy Bronze wants to use The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2020 award to inspire

Crowned as The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2020, Lucy Bronze was presented with her award by FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura. Bronze became the first England player and first female defender to win the award. The right-back won the treble and her third successive UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy with Olympique Lyonnais before rejoining Manchester City.

“It’s nice to finally get my hands on it,” Bronze said after being presented with her trophy. “I’m just super honored. I’m just grateful for it.”

Bronze also received another trophy after she was included in the FIFA FIFPro Women’s World11 for the third time in the last four years – a line-up which is chosen by thousands of top-flight female football players from all over the world, who vote for the best player in each position.

“Obviously, I’ve worked hard my entire career to make myself the best player that I can be,” said Bronze. “To have been awarded any award, whether it was in the 11 or to actually be named the best player in the world, I’m just truly honoured and grateful.”

And Bronze is optimistic that the exposure the awards bring can encourage a new generation with visibility key to the continued promotion of women’s football.

“I think there’s a lot of girls who want to be motivated, want to inspire, want to be the best players in the world and how are they supposed to try and achieve that if they can’t see that, if there’s no such thing?” she said.

Lucy Bronze receives The Best FIFA Women's Player Award and the FIFA FIFPro Women's World11 Award

“So I think it’s important that we have these award nights where we celebrate success, we celebrate the best players in the world, both in individual positions, all over the globe, all over the pitch, and just the best player. I think it’s excellent for both young girls and young boys to be able to see that and to see who the best players are, so they can go out and support those players and support those teams and just enjoy how good these players are and how much the women’s game is improving.”