Trinity Rodman at Ballon d’Or ceremony: ‘I can’t even believe that I was nominated!’

The 20-year-old was one of three USWNT stars on the 20-player shortlist

Trinity Rodman arrived at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris full of humility, saying she couldn’t believe she was nominated among the world’s best 20 players.

Rodman was rewarded for her breakout 2021 campaign with the Washington Spirit, during which she led her team to an NWSL title and won the league’s Rookie of the Year award.

The 20-year-old made her U.S. women’s national team debut this February and has earned seven caps to date, as she looks to be a foundational piece for the USWNT over the coming years.

But, arriving on the red carpet on Monday, Rodman still couldn’t quite grasp that she had been included along with the other 19 shortlisted players for the award.

“I can’t even believe that I was nominated for this,” Rodman said. “The fact that I’m going be around such amazing players, never mind being nominated with them, I respect all these players so much and it’s a dream for me.”

Asked about her ambitions for the future, Rodman added: “A lot has happened so far and you can only dream so much, but I think I’m just going to keep pushing forward and do my best and try to connect with other athletes as well.”

Rodman was one of three USWNT players represented on the 20-player shortlist, along with Catarina Macario and Alex Morgan.

Watch Rodman arrive at the Ballon d’Or ceremony

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