“We’re still not getting all of those things right in the women’s game,” boldly remarked Emma Hayes once over the surprising snub of USWNT defender Naomi Girma from the 2024 Ballon d’Or Féminin nominations. Well, this isn’t the only instance where the frustration stems from, but it echoes the mutual feeling that not many are impressed with the voting process of this prestigious award. No wonder the latest to jump on the bandwagon is none other than Mia Hamm.

The 2x World Cup winner and 2x Olympic gold medalist may have hung up her boots quite a long time ago, but that doesn’t mean she has lost touch with the beautiful game. In fact, Hamm closely watched the competition between 30 nominated female stars, where she was somehow caught off guard by the biases toward players that compete in American-based leagues.

“Our seasons don’t line up with a lot of our voters which is unfortunate,” began Hamm during an exclusive conversation with EssentiallySports. “I think sometimes the way the votes happen is like, ‘She played great.’ They don’t even know if certain players have been injured. They just see the name, like, ‘I’ve heard her before.'”  

Hamm is discontented over the fact that many voters fail to make the right nominations, often influenced by biases or a lack of understanding of the women’s game and its standout performers. “So I think we need to make sure that everyone is invested and figure out a way to help the league kind of align with the European and international calendar. Make sure those players are seen,” concluded Mia.

Notably, this year saw over 6 NWSL stars get nominated for the Ballon d’Or, including Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda, Chicago Red Stars duo Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman of Washington Spirit, Sophia Smith of Portland Thorns FC, and Houston Dash star Tarciane. Neither of them was able to win as Spain and FC Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí lifted her second consecutive award.

Then again, that doesn’t mean the performance of all the NWSL stars was bad; Smith, Swanson, and Rodman, a.k.a. the Triple Espresso, were able to finish in the top 10 in the final rankings. Even Lindsey Horan, the USWNT skipper and Lyon midfielder who guided her side to gold in the Paris Olympics, joined the trio.

While it’s unlucky to see neither of these names were able to clinch their hands on the prestigious trophy, we wonder who would be a deserving candidate to win this Golden Ball in Mia Hamm’s eye.

Mia Hamm shares her deserving 2024 Ballon d’Or winner from the USWNT

Since the Ballon d’Or Féminin was introduced in 2018, Megan Rapinoe remains the sole American to have claimed the prestigious award. With Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí dominating the last four years, each winning two titles, Mia Hamm has voiced her support for Sophia Smith to return the honor to the United States. “It’s hard to say, I’d probably say Sophia if someone said pick one right now,” said Hamm.

“The thing right now with Sophia is, (that) because she has been asked to play more of a (number) 9, I think, she’s figured out a way to not only be the finisher she needs to be but also can find players through those scenes, and she’s been able to do that for Trin and Mal,” added Hamm during the exclusive interview with EssentiallySports. Either way, let’s see whether Sophia Smith can make Mia Hamm’s wish come true.