We're immensely proud of Ballon d'Or nominees, says O'Neill | OneFootball

Manchester City Women Managing Director Charlotte O’Neill says City's three nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or Feminin award prove we are heading in the right direction.

Yui Hasegawa, Lauren Hemp and Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw were all part of the 30-player shortlist for the coveted prize, which is set to be awarded at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

Ahead of the ceremony, the majority of the players on the shortlist have received their ranking - with Shaw coming 15th, Hasegawa 26th and Hemp 28th.

It's the second year in a row Hasegawa and Shaw have made it to the final shortlist, while Hemp has been recognised for the first time.

All three were crucial to Gareth Taylor's City side as we took the Barclays Women's Super League title race to the final day, before being pipped to the post by Chelsea.

Hasegawa, the beating heart of City's midfield, featured 30 times in total, completing 1251 passes in the league - comfortably the most of any midfielder.

Hemp, a consistent and menacing threat on the wing, played 29 times, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists.

Shaw was the WSL's Golden Boot winner, netting 21 times and becoming the club's record scorer in the process.

"As a club, we are immensely proud of our nominees," said O'Neill after the trio's places in the rankings were confirmed.

"Bunny, Lauren and Yui are all exceptional talents and to have them shortlisted means the squad we are building and the football we are playing are being recognised amongst the best in the world."