Beth Mead is the 2022 Ballon d'Or runner up

Beth Mead capped off a career-best season by scooping second place in this year's prestigious Ballon d'Or Feminin.

At tonight's 66th Ballon d'Or ceremony, Beth beat out some of the biggest names in football after a historic year, to be named 2022's runner-up. It was Barcelona's Alexia Putellas who was awarded the top prize for the second year running, with Sam Kerr of Chelsea coming in third place. According to the official points total, there were only 26 points separating Beth from the top spot. 

The Ballon d'Or Feminin celebrates the best international talent across women's football over the past 12 months, but this is only the fourth time it has been awarded. Lyon's Ada Hegerberg won the inaugural award in 2018, followed by OL Reign's Megan Rapinoe and Putellas with her first win. 

Across the 2021/22 WSL season, Beth registered 11 goals, eight assists, and a whopping 72 chances for the Gunners. She then carried her form through to the summer and the UEFA Women’s Euros, where she won the Golden Boot and the Player of the Tournament award, as England’s Lionesses strode to victory at Wembley. This was her first Ballon d'Or nomination.

Her teammate, Vivianne Miedema, was also nominated for the accolade for the third time and placed 11th. Elsewhere at the ceremony, Bukayo Saka came in eighth place for the Kopa Trophy, as Barcelona's Gavi was named the best under-21 player over the previous season.