Scotland’s Kim Little is among the nominees for the first ever BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award, with the shortlist announced on the BBC World Service on Sunday.

Little scored 17 goals in 25 games for Seattle Reign as they won the National Women’s Soccer League in 2014, and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. The 24-year-old previously enjoyed success with Arsenal and Hibernian, winning 13 trophies in Britain before signing for Seattle.

“Considering the competitiveness and the amount of great players there are worldwide, it’s extremely nice to be recognised,” Little said of her nomination.


Little is joined on the global shortlist by Liverpool’s Nigerian forward Asisat Oshoala.

Oshoala, who joined the Reds in January 2015, was named the best player of the 2014 Under-20 World Cup, and was also top scorer as Nigeria reached the final.

“I worked hard last year but I am surprised to be nominated and I feel very appreciated,” said Oshoala.

“This award is a very good thing for women’s football,” Oshoala continued.

“It can really help us by encouraging other countries to support their ladies more and treat them the same way they treat the men.”

The shortlist is completed by Spain’s Verónica Boquete, Germany’s Nadine Kessler and Brazilian legend Marta, who joined Oshoala in highlighting the award as a sign that the women’s game is growing globally.


“When I was younger I had to overcome many things: I was the only girl and I used to have to play with the boys. It was complicated and difficult. It’s better today – the girls don’t have the same difficulties being accepted,” Marta said.

Mary Hockaday, controller of the BBC World Service English said: “The five shortlisted players represent an incredible array of talent and show the growing strength of the women’s game. The vote is now open to fans to choose their favourite player.”

Fans can vote online and using their mobile phone or handheld device, at bbc.com/womensfootball.

The vote will close on Monday 11th May at 10am, with the winner revealed on the BBC World Service on 26th May. The shortlist was selected by a panel of experts including administrators, journalists, coaches and former players.

BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year shortlist

Verónica Boquete (Spain and FFC Frankfurt)

Nadine Kessler (Germany and VFL Wolfsburg)

Kim Little (Scotland and Seattle Reign FC)

Marta (Brazil and FC Rosengard)

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria and Liverpool)

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/26/bbc-womens-footballer-kim-little-asisat-oshoala? hootPostID=193073ab83caa3192cd73222932e2570

Visit this link on how to vote online and by sms

http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/32403506

You can vote online here

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/womens/wfoty-vote/2015

Just voted for our own asisat Oshoala

Cc: lalasticlala

Yes oh! happy for her,though she will not win it,but nominating her among other best female footballers is worth it.As for the boys continue playing in India,Armenia,Malta,Belgium n expect to be recorgnized

Please move this to the fp, and lets vote massively for this girl. she scored one and had one assist today in the game between Liverpool and Man city.
To vote for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2015 by SMS, text the number of the player you wish to vote for to +44 7786 20 20 04 .
Text 1 for Veronica Boquete, 2 for Nadine Kessler, 3 for Kim Little, 4 for Marta and 5 for Asisat Oshoala.
This wont cost you more than 100 naira!

No pinshure?

The female Messi ... Go girl !

Congrat sis,Pls let's vote for her.

yaaaaay am happy for her..hopefully she wins...but looking at the other people profile

The albinos ain't gonna let a cookie win no s*hit.
Asis. .. U good and we support you... We vote just to let you know we got your back...

Congrats to her. If she can be nurtured well, she is the new face of Nigeria female football.

Beautiful and skillful

Congrats Asisat. #YNWA

Nyc one jare

wish her all d best oo

How those that stop man u from collecting 3 gbosa from Everton.

And chelshit parking tractor

This is really encouraging

That's a good news
A welcome development
But we all know she won't win it.

big congratulation to her.





20:22:43
Sun, Apr 26, 2015

.

And this is what am talking about. Wetin over over fed super chicken cannot do, little Oshoala is doing it. Even if she does not win it, the recognition alone is worth it. Go girl.

shawwal1:
Yes oh! happy for her,though she will not win it,but nominating her among other best female footballers is worth it.As for the boys continue playing in India,Armenia,Malta,Belgium n expect to be recorgnized

those ones are in it for the money alone.

fp

denniece1:
Visit this link on how to vote online and by sms

http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/32403506

You can vote online here

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/womens/wfoty-vote/2015

Just voted for our own asisat Oshoala

Cc: lalasticlala

Hope these PDP supporters will not blame Oshoala for online rigging if she wins it. The TANIODS are known for saying online polls do not count.

I have done my part by voting for her. I pray and hope she won at the end of the day.

God bless Nigeria

hamaworld:
How those that stop man u from collecting 3 gbosa from Everton.

And chelshit parking tractor

e dey pain u?

I pray our own wins. I've voted Asisat, what are you waiting for?

Her picture should follow the news article

I wish her d best.
I have voted for her now.shez my no 1 crush

Correct babe

so happy for her. watched her play today for liverpool ladies. she scored and gave an assist as her club won 2-1 against manchester city ladies. liverpool ladies are currently top of the league in england.