“Proud” Erin Cuthbert is delighted that international teammate Caroline Weir has been able to “smash through the glass ceiling” by becoming the first female Scottish player to be nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
But the Chelsea winger insists that more Scots should be on the shortlist, including Arsenal star Kim Little, who helped the Gunners win the Champions League.
Weir was nominated for the award, which is handed out to the best player in world football every year, after a string of standout performances for Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Cuthbert says that her countrywomen suffer from a “Scottish tax” and can be unfairly overlooked as a result, but believes more Scots playing abroad can help them gain more recognition in the future.
Speaking to STV Sport, she said: “It’s been a long time coming, I said for many years that Kim (Little) should have been up there.
“I couldn’t believe that this was the first time a Scottish player had been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, and I really do think we suffer from the ‘Scottish tax’.
“Kim should have been amongst it as well, she won the Champions League with Arsenal, and she was pivotal to that success.
“So, it’s crazy that no more Scots are nominated – she should be there.
“But, to break the glass ceiling and Caroline doing what she did is amazing, she had a good season at Real Madrid.
“Let’s just hope we can get more Scots playing on the world and European stage, because I feel that’s what gets you nominated.
“If you continually miss out on tournaments, then it does become more difficult to get these nominations.”
As much as Cuthbert is proud to see Weir among the nominations, she puts more importance in team achievements than any personal accolades.
She said: “Personally, I am more jealous of Kim winning the Champions League than Caroline being nominated for the Ballon d’Or. As much as I am proud of her, it has never been about individual nominations for me.
“It has always been about the team. When I lift a trophy and see all my teammates happy, and to know all the blood, sweat, and tears we have gone through during the season, I am much more envious of Kim than I am of Caroline this year.”
The Ballon d’Or ceremony is being held on Monday night, with Scotland men’s team player Scott McTominay also nominated.
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