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Spirit star Trinity Rodman & Head Coach Jonatan Giráldez are both up for prestigious honors
Washington, D.C. (10/27/2024) – On Monday, October 28, the global soccer world will shift its eyes to Paris, for the presentation of the 68th Ballon d’Or® awards. Washington Spirit star forward Trinity Rodman and Head Coach Jonatan Giráldez are both nominated for their accomplishments during August 2023 to July 2024.
At just 22 years old, Rodman earned her second Ballon d’Or Féminin nomination last month. The award is given to the best female soccer player in the world. She has made her mark at both the club and international levels. Rodman has been essential to the Spirit’s best regular season in team history, setting a single season career high eight goals and six assists in the process, and lifted the United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) Olympic gold this summer.
Giráldez is up for the newly minted Ballon d’Or Women’s Team Coach of the Year award, recognizing the highest achieving women’s soccer coach from around the world. He is just one of six coaches nominated for the prestigious honor and, at just 32 years old, is the youngest nominee and the only coach currently with a United States-based club. Giráldez led FC Barcelona to its first-ever quadruple, including his second Champions League title in only three years. In 10 regular season games with Giráldez as head coach, the Spirit is 7-2-1 with a +11 (21-10) goal differential.
About the Ballon d’Or
Ballon d’Or, presented annually by France Football since 1956, is the most prestigious accolade given to soccer players globally recognizing outstanding achievements and exceptional talent. In 2018, France Football began awarding the Ballon d’Or Féminin.
The ceremony features the Men’s Ballon d’Or, Women’s Ballon d’Or, Yashin Trophy (goalkeeper), Kopa Trophy (best player under 21 years old), Men’s Team Coach of the Year, Women’s Team Coach of the Year, Men’s Club of the Year, and Women’s Club of the Year.
How to Watch
Coverage of the Ballon d’Or will begin at 2:45 p.m. EST and will be streamed live, for free, on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel and website.
The Nominees
Rodman will be up against 29 other women, including international stars like Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona Femení) and Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal) and fellow NWSL players like Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride) and Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars). Since 2018, past winners have included Ada Hegerberg, Megan Rapinoe, and Alexia Putellas.
Meanwhile, Giráldez is one of six nominees, up against Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea), Arthur Elias (Brazil), Emma Hayes (USWNT), Filipa Patão (Benfica), and Sarina Miegman (England). This is the first year of this award.
About The Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. In 2024, the Spirit drafted an epic class of rookies who are already breaking records and wowing fans. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
