Soph Smith Finishes Fourth in Ballon d'Or

Portland and USWNT superstar continues to climb as one the very best footballers in the world.

Yesterday, it was announced that Soph Smith, the 2022 NWSL MVP, 2023 Golden Boot, and 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist (her accolades are longer than a Target receipt) was recognized as one of the best footballers in the world.

Smith finished fourth for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. Her triple espresso teammates Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson also finished in the top 10, at six and nine, respectively. Former Portland Thorn Lindsey Horan was also in the top five to round it out. USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was 17th.

The Ballon d’Or still has a ton of work to do to highlight players in NWSL and other leagues outside of Europe. FC Barcelona finished with the top three players: Salma Paralluelo, Caroline Graham Hansen, and winner Aitana Bonmatí.

Their USWNT head coach Emma Hayes won women’s coach of the year.

If you weren’t listening or watching the actual show, you would of had no clue in the slightest of Smith being the highest non-Barca finisher. Ballon d’Or socials inexplicably left her out almost entirely. While her USWNT got recognized, they forgot a post for her completely when it came time for the reveal.

Credit: Portland Thorns FC

Fortunately, Portland Thorns FC stepped up in their absence.

At 24 years old, Soph Smith is just getting started. She will be a perennial favorite to pick up many awards in the future, including the Ballon d’Or. Smith is a free agent after the 2025 season and will likely be sign a contract with Portland or elsewhere as the highest paid player in the women’s game.

---

---

How are you feeling after the Ballon d’Or ‘mistake’?

We’ll start…