Triple Espresso for the win! Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman & Mallory Swanson to rival Aitana Bonmati for The Best FIFA Women's Player award with 16 stars confirmed on shortlist

The 16 contenders to win The Best FIFA Women's Player award for 2024 have been announced, with Barcelona Femeni and Spain star Bonmati headlining the list following another trophy-laden season for club and country.

Bonmati led Barca to a historic quadruple and scored in the biggest games of the year, including in the Champions League and Women's Nations League finals. The 26-year-old has already been honoured for her success by winning the Ballon d'Or, but she faces competition from team-mates and rivals alike for The Best award.

Full nominees:

Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Barbra Banda (Zambia), Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Keira Walsh (England), Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Lauren Hemp (England), Lindsey Horan (USA), Lucy Bronze (England), Mallory Swanson (USA), Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Naomi Girma (USA), Ona Batlle (Spain), Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Sophia Smith (USA), Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Trinity Rodman (USA).

USWNT stars Smith and Rodman helped the Stars and Stripes win the CONCACAF W Gold Cup in March and then gold at the Paris Olympics in the summer. Swanson, meanwhile, had a remarkable year, coming back from a devastating long-term knee injury to score the winner in the final over Brazil in France.

The 77-player shortlist for The Best Women's 11 has also been announced, with a host of stars to be whittled down.

The winner of each award will be announced at a ceremony in January, as Bonmati aims to complete a Ballon d'Or and The Best Women's Player double for the second year in a row.