Arsenal duo Beth Mead and Leah Williamson have been named in the FIFPRO World XI Team of the Year following stellar 21/22 campaigns.
Mead cemented her status as one of the best players in world football when she netted six goals to clinch the Golden Boot and help fire England to glory at last summer's EUROs. The 27-year-old was also in scintillating form for her club, scoring 12 goals in 26 games in all competitions for the Gunners.
Likewise, Williamson was an integral part of the Arsenal squad that ultimately missed out on the Women's Super League (WSL) title by a single point. The defender made 28 appearances for her club - scoring twice - before captaining England to their first major trophy since 1966 and earning a spot alongside Mead in the EUROs Team of the Tournament.
READ MORE: Chelsea Women player ratings as Blues show their quality in FA Cup win over Arsenal
The pair faced stern competition from thousands of footballers from across the globe and learnt of their success at The Best FIFA Awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night. Arsenal teammate Vivianne Miedema had also made the shortlist for Team of the Year but didn't make the final cut, with Chelsea's Sam Kerr given the nod up front while England and Barcelona duo Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh also featured in the Best XI.
It wasn't quite a clean sweep for Mead, who finished third in the voting for The Best FIFA Women’s Player for 2022 behind USA's Alex Morgan and Spain's Alexia Putellas. The award recognises the most outstanding performers in the women’s game between August 2021 to July 2022, with Williamson coming in at eighth and Miedema finishing 12th.
Elsewhere, England manager Sarina Wiegman, who masterminded the Lionesses' European triumph, was named women's coach of the year while Manchester United and England goalkeeper Mary Earps won the women's goalkeeper award.
READ NEXT:
Beth Mead delivers promising England injury update for Women's World Cup with added inspiration
Arsenal complete raid for former Leicester City coach Lydia Bedford
England player ratings as Lionesses retain Arnold Clark Cup as Chloe Kelly shines
Arsenal player ratings vs Chelsea as Gunners disappoint and crash out of FA Cup fifth round
Arsenal's Caitlin Foord expected to pick up the slack from from Mead and Miedema loss
