Further impetus for Westfield W-League as Brisbane Roar’s Nadine Angerer crowned world’s best

The rapidly growing Westfield W-League received a further boost with Brisbane Roar’s German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2013 at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala held overnight in Zurich.

The 35-year-old Angerer is the first goalkeeper to win the honour and was crowned alongside Real Madrid and Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo who won the male award. 

Angerer joined Brisbane at the start of the season and has helped the two-time champions to second spot on the ladder, although Sydney FC can move into second with a win over Western Sydney Wanderers in their catch-up match on Wednesday night.

Angerer will line up for Brisbane on Sunday when they tackle traditional rivals and current champions Sydney FC at the Sydney United Sports Centre, in what is a powerhouse meeting between the league’s two most successful clubs. The match will be broadcast live on ABC1 at 3pm.

“FFA and the Westfield W-League would like to congratulate Nadine Angerer on winning the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or Award in Zurich last night,” said Head of the Westfield W-League Damien de Bohun. 

“It is a tremendous honour for Nadine to be crowned the best female football player in the world and everyone involved with the Westfield W-League should join in acknowledging an amazing achievement.

“Nadine’s award also demonstrates the calibre of international stars playing in the Westfield W-League.

“Women’s football is playing a significant role in the positive growth of football in Australia and this award shows the point of difference football enjoys in that it is a sport played by men, women, boys and girls.

“I urge the football public to take advantage of Nadine’s presence in the Westfield W-League and head out to a match during the second half of the season. The W-League is shaping as an incredibly tight competition with Melbourne Victory, Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC and Canberra United locked in a battle to claim the title.”

In 2013 Angerer captained Germany to a UEFA European Championship victory - saving two penalties in the final against Norway - and was subsequently crowned Europe’s best player by UEFA. 

Aside from a trophy-laden club career, Angerer has won two FIFA Women’s World Cups and five UEFA European Football Championships.

“I still can’t believe it, but I’m totally calm and can’t really take it in,” Angerer said overnight in Zurich. 

“I think I’ll have to sleep on it for a couple of nights until it finally all hits me.”