Rising soccer star Trinity Rodman 'can't even believe' she was nominated for Ballon d'Or

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 awarded 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 in February and has earned seven caps to date. She looks to be a foundational piece for the USWNT over the coming years.

But, arriving on the red carpet 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.”

MORE:Karim Benzema awarded men's 2022 Ballon d'Or; Alexia Putellas gets repeat win

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.”

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

Rodman finished 18th in the voting, with Morgan at 13th and Macario ninth. Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas took home the award for a second straight year.