By Constanza Mora Pedraza – AIPS Member
January 16, 2024. – The International Federation of Football History and Statistics -IFFHS- carried out the election of the best of 2023, where the ideal teams for both women and men of the South American Football Confederation –Conmebol- stand out –, bellow you can find the Women’s Best XI.
The Colombians led the nominations with six players included in the ideal XI, Manuela Vanegas, Jorelyn Carabali, Lorena Bedoya, Linda Caicedo, Catalina Usme and Mayra Ramírez were recognized both for their individual and collective work, especially with the Colombian National Team reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup, without leaving behind their respective professional football teams. They were accompanied by 4 Brazilians; Tamires, Ary Borges, Vic Albuquerque and Bia Zaneratto and a Chilean Christiane Endler.
Christiane Endler (Olympique de Lyon) was the champion of the first division, of the French Cup, and of the French Super Cup.
Manuela Vanegas (Real Sociedad) during the World Cup scored a goal against Germany, contributing to the victory of the South American team.
Jorelyn Carabali (Brighton & Hove Albion) was one of the permanent starting players of the Colombian National Team during the 2023 World Cup. Due to her great performance, she became the first sale of the Brazilian team to women’s international football, and the first Colombian to reach the Premier League.
Tamires (Corinthians) in 2023 was chosen as the best player in the final of the Brazilian tournament; she was also part of the Brazilian ideal team and received the Samba de Oro award. She was champion with Corintias of the Brasileirao, of the Copa Libertadores, of the Paulista Championship and the Super Cup.
Lorena Bedoya (Real Brasilia) the midfielder played all the games of the 2023 World Cup, standing out in her position.
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid) last season she played 22 games for Real Madrid, was runner-up in the F League and the Queen’s Cup, and also had an outstanding participation in the Australia-New Zealand World Cup where she scored 2 goals, was twice the best player of the match and received the distinction for the best goal of the World Cup. She received the Golden Girl Award as the best player under 21 years of age.
Ary Borges (Racing Louisville) the Brazilian became the first debutant to score three goals in a World Cup, both in women’s and men’s categories. Considered Brazil’s best player at Australia-New Zealand 2023, she was runner-up in the NWSL Challenge Cup with Racing Louisville.
Vic Albuquerque (Corinthians) the midfielder received the following awards: Bola de Prata-ESPN 2023 within Brazilian Teams, the Best Player of the Paulista Championship Final, and the Best Player of the Paulista Championship by scoring 10 points. She was champion with Corintias of the Brasileirao, the Copa Libertadores, the Paulista Championship, and the Super Cup.
Catalina Usme (Pachuca), captain and leader of the Colombian National Team during the Australia-New Zealand World Cup in which she contributed two goals and became the top scorer of all national teams, both women’s and men’s. With América de Cali, her team in 2023, she stood out in the Copa Libertadores and was nominated for the Reina de América Award for the best Conmebol player. In the season, she scored 8 goals in continental competitions.
Mayra Ramirez (Levante), the Colombian finished in the Top 100 of the best players by the English newspaper The Guardian, scored 14 goals and had 11 assists.
Bia Zaneratto (Palmeiras), nominated for the Puskás award for the goal scored against Panama during the Australia-New Zealand World Cup. With Palmeiras she played in 6 games, starting as an initial on all, for a total of 499 minutes and scoring 6 goals. She was runner-up in the Copa Libertadores de América.
