Can Alex Morgan Follow Megan Rapinoe’s Footsteps to Win the Ballon d’Or in 2023, if USWNT Win the World Cup?

Alex Morgan is one of the few names that resonate with women’s soccer. But when it comes to US Soccer, Morgan is one of the top names, considering both men’s and women’s teams. With USWNT set to kick off their FIFA World Cup campaign against Vietnam in Group E, all eyes will be on the San Diego forward. 

And why not! She has been dazzling the field with her scintillating performances since last year. The absence of Mallory Swanson puts additional responsibility on Morgan and her compatriots. If USWNT wins the World Cup, they will become the first team ever to complete a threepeat in the pinnacle tournament. But the question on everyone’s mind will be whether Morgan walks in the footsteps of her teammate Megan Rapinoe to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

A glance at Alex Morgan’s stats

“I am just as hungry for more [as] I was five or ten years ago,” the San Diego forward wants to go all the way to win the World Cup. Morgan was one of the shining stars of the She Believes Cup, only second to Mallory Swanson. She notched a goal and two assists to help the USWNT win the tournament record six times. And who can forget her heroics in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship 2022?

Alex Morgan emerged as the vital The Stars and Stripes player. Her three goals helped USWNT seal the World Cup qualification and a ticket to Paris Olympics 2024, helping her team win the championship. Morgan shared Golden Boot with three other players for the tournament and won the Golden Ball for the best player. She also had a significant NWSL season last year.

The USWNT forward topped the NWSL goal-scoring charts last season. Her 16 goals won her the Golden Boot and a place in the NWSL Best XI. Morgan also notched four goals in the NWSL Challenge Cup. This season, Morgan may not be in the top five but have five goals and four assists to her name. US Soccer superstar will hope to carry her form in the World Cup to help USWNT complete the three-peat. But can she top it by winning the Ballon d’Or?

Can Alex Morgan finally win the Ballon d’Or this year?

France Football started the Ballon d’Or Feminine in 2018. The last USWNT star to win the award was Megan Rapinoe in 2019, after her enormous World Cup campaign that saw her win the FIFA Best Award. Morgan finished runner-up for the Best FIFA Women’s Player award behind winner Alexia Putellas, who is also a reigning Ballon d’Or winner. But the Spanish superstar has been out with injury, keeping her out of contention for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Morgan is one of the favorites this year. And if she wins the World Cup, her chances will definitely increase. However, the San Diego forward will face tough competition, especially from FC Barcelona superstars and her national teammate Sophia Smith. The Balugrana midfielder Aitana Bonmati has taken women’s soccer by storm. Her 16 goals and 19 assists helped Barcelona win Spanish League, Women’s Champions League, and Spanish Super Cup.

READ MORE: “Strides in Women’s Soccer”- Two-Time World Cup Winner Alex Morgan Dedicates 2023 Tournament to Mommies and Radiates Excitement to Complete Historic 3-Peat

Morgan’s teammate Sophia Smith can also emerge as a competitor. Smith will be leading the line for USWNT. She won the NWSL Championship and NWSL’s MVP last season. Also, the Portland Thorns forward leads the NWSL goalscoring charts this season with 10 to her name. Along with Smith and Bonmati, the likes of Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Patri (Barcelona), Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona), Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg), and Alex Popp (Wolfsburg) are also the competitors for Morgan.

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Let us know your thoughts on the chances of Alex Morgan winning the 2023 Ballon d’Or.