The 2024 Ballon d’Or Feminin is just around the corner. The presence of multiple world-class players in 2024 makes it a must-watch ceremony. Aitana Bonmati won it last time and we expect her to win another award this time. But, there are some shocking snubs for the nominee list. One of them is USWNT’s rock at the back, Naomi Girma. And that decision shocked Casey Murphy.

In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, the USWNT goalkeeper Casey Murphy described her disbelief at not seeing Naomi Girma on the list of entrants. This is because Girma led the team from the back just like Triple Espresso, who led the team from the front.

Murphy believes Naomi Girma deserved a place on the list, among all the other entrants. “I personally think Naomi is one of the best defenders in the world. I’m not too sure how the nomination process works or super familiar with it, but there’s no doubt her time will come in that recognition,” Murphy stated, in her exclusive interview with Essentially Sports. 

Looking at some stats, Girma averaged per 90, 1.52 tackles, 1.36 blocks, and a staggering 5.33 clearances. Along with Tierna Davidson, the USWNT did not concede in the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and finals in a major tournament. It’s a stunning record that no team managed in women’s soccer.

Murphy ended by giving compliments to the defender, “Having played with Naomi and gotten to know her off the field, she’s a wonderful person on and off the field, and I’m just so excited to see where she takes her game and continues to stand out from the rest.” But with her not making the list, who actually made the list for the 2024 Ballon d’Or Feminin? There are some USWNT players, of course.

Naomi Girma’s exclusion from the 2024 Ballon d’Or Feminin is confusing!

With Girma missing out, this is the list of the 30 soccer players who made the final list.

• Barbra Banda (Zambia, Shanghai RCB / Orlando Pride)
• Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona)
• Lucy Bronze (England, Barcelona / Chelsea)
• Mariona Caldentey (Spain, Barcelona / Arsenal)
• Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi, Paris Saint-Germain / Olympique Lyonnais)
• Grace Geyoro (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
• Manuela Giugliano (Italy, AS Roma)
• Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway, Barcelona)
• Patricia Guijarro (Spain, Barcelona)
• Giulia Gwinn (Germany, Bayern München)
• Yui Hasegawa (Japan, Manchester City)
• Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Olympique Lyonnais)
• Lauren Hemp (England, Manchester City)
• Lindsey Horan (USA, Olympique Lyonnais)
• Lauren James (England, Chelsea)
• Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France, Paris Saint-Germain)
• Alyssa Naeher (USA, Chicago Red Stars)
• Sjoeke Nüsken (Germany, Chelsea)
• Ewa Pajor (Poland, VfL Wolfsburg / Barcelona)
• Salma Paralluelo (Spain, Barcelona)
• Gabi Portilho (Brazil, Corinthians)
• Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)
• Mayra Ramírez (Colombia, Levante / Chelsea)
• Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit)
• Lea Schüller (Germany, Bayern München)
• Khadija Shaw (Jamaica, Manchester City)
• Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns)
• Mallory Swanson (USA, Chicago Red Stars)
• Tarciane (Brazil, Corinthians / Houston Dash)
• Glódís Viggósdóttir (Iceland, Bayern München)

Significantly, Aitana Bonmati remains the favorite to win this time worldwide. But let’s not forget the Triple Espresso is brewin well in every game. Scoring 10 goals together combined, they love playing soccer and Emma Hayes has kept them rocking!

After Casey Murphy’s exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Naomi Girma’s exclusion from the list confuses a lot of people. We feel she should get her way into the list, at least for the next season. Let’s rally up for Naomi Girma, ladies and gentlemen!