UEFA have revealed the shortlist for their Women’s Player of the Year award, but who deserves to take home the title? 

Lionesses hero Beth Mead, Barcelona maestro Alexia Putellas and German midfielder Lena Oberdorf are the three players nominated, with the winner to be announced at the 2022-23 Champions League group stage ceremony on August, 25th in Istanbul. 

All three enjoyed standout seasons and are also among the contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or Féminin. 

The players were selected from an initial shortlist of 22, chosen by the UEFA technical study group based on performances for club and country during the 2021/22 season. 

An expert panel, consisting of both journalists and coaches then narrowed the list down to just three. 

We’ve analysed the contenders and given our verdict on which player deserves to win the award. 

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Beth Mead

Mead had a stellar domestic season with Arsenal and established herself as one of the first names on Jonas Eidevall’s teamsheet. 

The winger carried over her form from the Women’s Super League to Euro 2022, where she scored six goals in six games, including a hat-trick against Norway. 

In the end, the 27-year-old edged Germany’s Alexandra Popp in the scoring charts to win the Golden Boot and was also named the Player of the Tournament. 

Mead
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Beth Mead of England applauds fans after the UEFA Women's Euro England 2022 group A match between England and Norway at Brighton & Hove Community Stadium on July 11, 2022 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Getty Images)

Lena Oberdorf 

At just 20 years of age, Oberdorf has become of the most sought-after youngsters in the world and was a commanding presence for Germany at Euro 2022. 

For her exceptional performances in the middle of the park, the Wolfsburg star was named the Young Player of the Tournament. 

A statement on the UEFA website said that the young midfielder “flourished in the middle of the park for the tournament runners-up, combining physical robustness, a fine reading of the game and maturity beyond her years.” 

Oberdorf has already made more than 30 appearances for the German national team. 

Oberdorf

Alexia Putellas

Putellas is the reigning UEFA Women’s Player of the Year and the current holder of the Ballon d’Or Féminin. 

The midfielder scored 34 goals for Barcelona last season and was expected to be one of the stars of Euro 2022. 

However, the Spaniard tore her anterior cruciate ligament in the build-up to the tournament and looks set to miss the majority of next year. 

Alexia Putellas playing for Spain
CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY - JULY 01: Aleixa Putellas Segura of Spain in action during the Women's International friendly match between Italy and Spain at Teofilo Patini Stadium on July 01, 2022 in Castel di Sangro , Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)

Who deserves to win? 

While Putellas was in prime position to retain the award, her injury has no doubt opened the door to the other two contenders. 

Oberdorf was undeniably Germany’s standout player at the Euros and it seems inevitable that she will win many individual honours over the course of her career. 

Yet, given it was England who eventually won the competition, it seems as though Mead is the frontrunner at this stage. 

Having missed out on a spot in Team GB’s Tokyo Olympic squad last summer, it’s been a remarkable 12 months for the forward and winning this award would be the icing on the cake.