Latest news with #StephCatley
7NEWS
07-08-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Much-loved Matildas hero Steph Catley short-listed for special football honour, the Ballon d'Or
Matildas captain Steph Catley has been short-listed for the biggest individual honour in women's soccer, nominated among the game's top 30 players for the Ballon d'Or. The 31-year-old Arsenal defender, a key figure in the London club's Women's Champions League triumph, is the only Australian to feature in the annual awards, with her Matildas teammate Mary Fowler perhaps unlucky to miss out on a nomination. It's a reward for Catley's enduring excellence at the back for both club and country, as she's filled in admirably as Australia's skipper in the long-term absence of the injured captain Sam Kerr. Alongside fellow Matildas Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross in the Arsenal success story, Catley was excellent in central defence throughout the Gunners' march to the triumph in Europe's biggest women's tournament. She has been nominated alongside six of her clubmates, including Mariona Caldentey, who's considered the most likely candidate to stop Barcelona's brilliant Aitana Bonmati, her Spain teammate, achieving a hat-trick of triumphs when the winner is announced in Paris on September 22. Catley, who's been capped 138 times for her country, is the third Australian woman to be short-listed since the Ballon d'Or Feminin was first introduced in 2018, with Kerr having had five nominations - she finished second in 2023 and third the previous two years - and Hayley Raso also being listed in 2023. Five of England's European Championship-winning squad have also been nominated for the award, headed by Catley's Arsenal teammates, Leah Williamson, her fellow centre-back, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo. Four Englishmen have also been nominated for the men's Ballon d'Or -- Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and Declan Rice. But the overwhelming favourite is Paris St Germain's Ousmane Dembele, one of nine players nominated from the outstanding men's Champions League-winning outfit. Women's Ballon d'Or nominees Sandy Baltimore, Barbra Banda, Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze, Klara Buhl, Mariona Caldentey, Sofia Cantore, Steph Catley, Temwa Chawinga, Melchie Dumornay, Emily Fox, Cristiana Girelli, Esther Gonzalez, Caroline Graham Hansen, Hannah Hampton, Pernille Harder, Patri Guijarro, Amanda Gutierres, Lindsey Heaps, Chloe Kelly, Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum, Marta, Clara Mateo, Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Caroline Weir, Leah Williamson. Men's Ballon d'Or nominees Ousmane Dembele, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jude Bellingham, Desire Doue, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez, Scott McTominay, Kylian Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Pedri, Cole Palmer, Michael Olise, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Florian Wirtz, Vitinha, Vinicius Junior, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah.
ABC News
07-08-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Steph Catley short-listed for Ballon d'Or Feminin, Harry Kane among men's nominees
Matildas captain Steph Catley has been short-listed for the biggest individual honour in women's soccer, nominated among the game's top 30 players for the Ballon d'Or. The 31-year-old Arsenal defender, a key figure in the London club's Women's Champions League triumph, is the only Australian to feature in the annual awards, with her Matildas teammate Mary Fowler perhaps unlucky to miss out on a nomination. It is a reward for Catley's enduring excellence at the back for both club and country, as she has filled in as Australia's skipper in the long-term absence of injured captain Sam Kerr. Alongside fellow Matildas Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross in the Arsenal success story, Catley was excellent in central defence throughout the Gunners' march to the triumph in Europe's biggest women's tournament. She has been nominated alongside six of her clubmates, including Mariona Caldentey, who's considered the most likely candidate to stop Barcelona's brilliant Aitana Bonmati, her Spain teammate, achieving a hat-trick of triumphs when the winner is announced in Paris on September 22. The awards ceremony has been moved a month earlier than normal after two straight years of being plonked in the women's international window, meaning many stars could not attend. Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ Catley, who's been capped 138 times for her country, is the third Australian woman to be short-listed since the Ballon d'Or Feminin was first introduced in 2018, with Kerr having had five nominations — she finished second in 2023 and third the previous two years — and Hayley Raso also being listed in 2023. Five of England's European Championship-winning squad have also been nominated for the award, headed by Catley's Arsenal teammates, Leah Williamson, her fellow centre-back, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo. Aitana Bonmatí will be trying to win her third straight, while Spain's 2024 men's winner, Rodri, is not nominated this time around. Four Englishmen have also been nominated for the men's Ballon d'Or — Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and Declan Rice. But the overwhelming favourite is Paris St Germain's Ousmane Dembele, one of nine players nominated from the outstanding men's Champions League-winning outfit. Women's Ballon d'Or nominees: Sandy Baltimore, Barbra Banda, Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze, Klara Buhl, Mariona Caldentey, Sofia Cantore, Steph Catley, Temwa Chawinga, Melchie Dumornay, Emily Fox, Cristiana Girelli, Esther Gonzalez, Caroline Graham Hansen, Hannah Hampton, Pernille Harder, Patri Guijarro, Amanda Gutierres, Lindsey Heaps, Chloe Kelly, Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum, Marta, Clara Mateo, Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Caroline Weir, Leah Williamson. Men's Ballon d'Or nominees: Ousmane Dembele, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jude Bellingham, Desire Doue, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez, Scott McTominay, Kylian Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Pedri, Cole Palmer, Michael Olise, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Florian Wirtz, Vitinha, Vinicius Junior, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah. AAP
Perth Now
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Aussie captain short-listed for soccer's Ballon d'Or
Matildas captain Steph Catley has been short-listed for the biggest individual honour in women's soccer, nominated among the game's top 30 players for the Ballon d'Or. The 31-year-old Arsenal defender, a key figure in the London club's Women's Champions League triumph, is the only Australian to feature in the annual awards, with her Matildas teammate Mary Fowler perhaps unlucky to miss out on a nomination. It's a reward for Catley's enduring excellence at the back for both club and country, as she's filled in admirably as Australia's skipper in the long-term absence of the injured captain Sam Kerr. Alongside fellow Matildas Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross in the Arsenal success story, Catley was excellent in central defence throughout the Gunners' march to the triumph in Europe's biggest women's tournament. She has been nominated alongside six of her clubmates, including Mariona Caldentey, who's considered the most likely candidate to stop Barcelona's brilliant Aitana Bonmati, her Spain teammate, achieving a hat-trick of triumphs when the winner is announced in Paris on September 22. Catley, who's been capped 138 times for her country, is the third Australian woman to be short-listed since the Ballon d'Or Feminin was first introduced in 2018, with Kerr having had five nominations - she finished second in 2023 and third the previous two years - and Hayley Raso also being listed in 2023. Five of England's European Championship-winning squad have also been nominated for the award, headed by Catley's Arsenal teammates, Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo. Four Englishmen have also been nominated for the men's Ballon d'Or -- Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer and Declan Rice -- but the favourite will be Paris St Germain's Ousmane Dembele, one of nine players nominated from the outstanding men's Champions League-winning outfit. Women's Ballon d'Or nominees: Sandy Baltimore, Barbra Banda, Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze, Klara Buhl, Mariona Caldentey, Sofia Cantore, Steph Catley, Temwa Chawinga, Melchie Dumornay, Emily Fox, Cristiana Girelli, Esther Gonzalez, Caroline Graham Hansen, Hannah Hampton, Pernille Harder, Patri Guijarro, Amanda Gutierres, Lindsey Heaps, Chloe Kelly, Frida Leonhardsen-Maanum, Marta, Clara Mateo, Ewa Pajor, Claudia Pina, Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Caroline Weir, Leah Williamson. Men's Ballon d'Or nominees: Ousmane Dembele, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jude Bellingham, Desire Doue, Denzel Dumfries, Serhou Guirassy, Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres, Achraf Hakimi, Harry Kane, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Robert Lewandowski, Alexis Mac Allister, Lautaro Martinez, Scott McTominay, Kylian Mbappe, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Pedri, Cole Palmer, Michael Olise, Raphinha, Declan Rice, Fabian Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Florian Wirtz, Vitinha, Vinicius Junior, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah.
News.com.au
07-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Experienced goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis returns to A-League to join Brisbane Roar
New Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis is adamant he has nothing to prove in his return to the A-League after a disappointing season in England. Bouzanis, 34, is back in Australia after a five-year stint in the UK that included spells with Sutton United, Reading, Stevenage and Charlton. The 2024-25 campaign proved to be the toughest for Bouzanis, who made just one appearance for the entire season while on loan to Stevenage from Reading. In February, he parted ways with Reading via mutual consent to sign a short-term deal with League One (third-tier) club Charlton, where he warmed the bench during his two-month stint. 'Last (season) was a bit difficult for myself due to circumstances out of my control, but playing in England, I've learnt a lot,' Bouzanis said on Monday after his first Roar training session. 'I've played a lot of games over there. It's cut-throat, it's an industry where you have to win, there are no excuses, so I feel I can bring my experiences that I've learnt over there back to the A-League.' Bouzanis, who also had two previous spells in the UK and was once on the books of Liverpool, had made the decision in 2020 to return to Britain – following a stint with Melbourne City – to be with his then partner, current Matildas captain Steph Catley. The pair later become engaged but the relationship ended last year. Bouzanis would not comment on the split, instead preferring to focus on what he wanted to achieve with the Roar. 'I'll just let my football do the talking.' he said. 'I've played a lot of games overseas. I've come back, I want to enjoy my football, I want to do the best I can and give everything I can. 'For me it's about coming into work every day with a smile on my face, and doing the best I can in order to perform at the highest level. 'I'm coming back not just to settle, but I want to win.' Sydney-born Bouzanis will take over as Brisbane's first-choice goalkeeper from Matt Acton, who wasn't offered a new deal by the club despite impressing during the latter stages of last season. Macklin Freke, who has another season to run on his Brisbane contract, will be Bouzanis' deputy. Bouzanis, a former Australian under-20 and under-23 representative, has been reunited in Brisbane with new Roar coach, former Melbourne City mentor Michael Valkanis. 'He's a very detailed coach, and has very high standards. He won't shy away from it. He knows what he wants, he plays an attacking style of football, and an aggressive style of football that's exciting to watch,' Bouzanis said of Valkanis. 'It's a lot of hard work, but it's an enjoyable style of play.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sam Kerr's teaser sends fans wild despite sad omission as Matildas favourite returns
Sam Kerr appears to be nearing a return after sharing footage of her back in training despite being left out of Joe Montemurro's Matildas squad for his first-game in charge. There is plenty of excitement around the Matildas with new coach Montemurro naming a large 33-strong squad for games against Slovenia and Panama. Interestingly, 14 A-League Women players joined the squad but Women's Super League stars and current captain Steph Catley, forward Caitlin Foord and midfielder Katrina Gorry will not feature in the four-game window having taken leave after a long season. However, Kerr was once again among the absentees having suffered setback during her ACL rehab the other week. Kerr has not played football in more than 16 months after tearing her ACL during training for her club side Chelsea. And earlier this month, it was revealed Kerr underwent surgery on a separate injury. Little is known about her recovery timeline, with Kerr and partner Kristie Mews recently taking a break and holidaying in the off-season. However, the Matildas superstar handed fans an update having posted a photo of her back training and running with Chelsea during training. Although she was once again excluded from the Matildas squad with fans increasingly interested over when she will make a comeback. The Matildas superstar has been undergoing her recovery and was a hope to line-up for Chelsea, before their record breaking Women's Super League season came to an end. Although this didn't come to fruition with the plan for Kerr to remain in England and continue her recovery with Chelsea. 🥹🥹 — jurídico sam kerr (@m4yaramonster) June 19, 2025 Light at the end of the tunnel for next season 😍😍😍 — ℜ u k ǝ K v ǝ l l 🇬🇧🇨🇦 (@Ruke_kvell) June 19, 2025 When is Sam Kerr going to return to playing football? — The Australian's pie chart creator (@Elfvandel20) June 20, 2025 While Kerr remains out, Mackenzie Arnold and Hayley Raso both return from injury. The Tottenham winger was missed by the Matildas in recent games with her creativity a major loss for the side. Montemurro is looking to improve the Matildas and find some results with Australia's national women's team dropping to their equal-worst position on the FIFA rankings. The World No.16 side has struggled in the last 12 months having been knocked out in a disastrous Olympics and SheBelieves Cup campaign. "When you have this amount of time, you can start to infiltrate some good ideas and make a statement in terms of the way we want to play," Montemurro said. "We still want to win football matches. We still want to show you who we are as a footballing nation. But more importantly, to really instil some identity, and really instil some belief in this team that you know going forward."
