Wiegman disappointed as Lionesses miss Ballon d'Or again
- England manager Sarina Wiegman expressed disappointment over the scheduling conflict between the Ballon d'Or ceremony and the women's international break.
- Three Lionesses players, Lucy Bronze, Lauren James, and Lauren Hemp, were nominated but unable to attend due to a friendly match against South Africa.
- The situation is reminiscent of last year when several players missed the ceremony due to a similar clash with international fixtures.
On October 28, 2024, the prestigious Ballon d'Or ceremony is overshadowed by a scheduling issue that prevents key English players from attending. The event coincides with a friendly match against South Africa, leaving England manager Sarina Wiegman and three nominated players—Lucy Bronze, Lauren James, and Lauren Hemp—unable to join the celebration. This situation has bred disappointment within the squad, particularly from Wiegman, who views the annual awards as an important opportunity to celebrate women's football. Wiegman articulated her feelings ahead of the South Africa match, stating that attending the ceremony would have been significant for recognition in women's sports. Unfortunately, with an important game on the horizon, the focus remains on the team and their preparations. This echoes a similar scenario from the previous year when a scheduling conflict with a match against Belgium resulted in missed attendance for several prominent players like Georgia Stanway and Rachel Daly. The Lionesses are aiming to refine their squad in anticipation of defending their European Championship title next summer. Following a recent 4-3 defeat to Germany, Wiegman confirmed that she plans to implement changes in the lineup for the upcoming friendly. She expressed a desire to explore different player combinations and gain further insights into squad dynamics. The clash of events highlights ongoing challenges in women's football scheduling, impacting players' opportunities to celebrate their achievements on global stages.