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Matildas star Sam Kerr wins ESPY award in United States following stellar season

Sam Kerr collected another ESPY award for her outstanding performances on the football pitch. (Getty Images: Bryn Lennon)

Matildas star Sam Kerr has been named the best international athlete in women's football at the ESPY in the United States.

It is the third time Kerr has claimed the award, which comes after another stellar season.

Kerr helped Chelsea to its third consecutive WSL title and won the competition's Golden Boot award for the second consecutive year.

She was also named the Football Writers Association Women's Footballer of the Year, WSL Player of the Season and received a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Her latest award comes on the back of the announcement that Kerr will be the first woman to grace the global cover of the latest iteration of EA Sports' FIFA franchise.

Olympic swimming champion Katie Ledecky won best athlete in women's sports.

Ledecky earned two golds and two silvers at the Tokyo Games last year, giving her 10 career Olympic medals. 

Los Angeles Angels baseball star Shohei Ohtani was named best athlete in men's sports. 

Support shown for Griner

US football player Megan Rapinoe admonished her fellow athletes at the ESPYs for not doing enough to speak out in support detained WNBA star Brittney Griner.

Griner was arrested in Russia in February after customs officials said they found vape canisters containing cannabis oil in her luggage. She faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of transporting drugs.

Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia earlier this year. (Reuters: Evgenia Novozhenina)

"For me, the most-striking thing is that BG's [Griner] not here," Rapinoe said.

"Like, what are we doing here dressed up like we are when our sister is detained abroad? We haven't done enough, none of us.

"We can do more, we can support her more, and just let her know that we love her so much."

NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry hosted the ESPYS and joined WNBA players Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith in calling attention to Griner's plight.

AP/ABC

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