The Matildas captain came second to Putellas with another Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso, also of European Champions League winners Barcelona, in third.

Robert Lewandowski, of Bayern Munich and Poland, won the men's award ahead of Lionel Messi and Mo Salah.

The awards were held in Zurich though most guests appeared by video link. The Australian captain was not on screen as she is preparing for the Matildas' opening Asian Cup tie in India on Friday.

Kerr surprisingly did not make the FIFPRO Women's World XI, but neither did Putellas or Hermoso in a very odd selection that did not include any players from either Barcelona or Tokyo Olympics gold medallists Canada.

Kerr's boss at Chelsea, Emma Hayes, was women's football manager of the year with Thomas Tuchel, also of Chelsea, taking the men's award.

International captains, coaches and selected media vote. Kerr herself voted for Putellas, Barcelona and Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen, and Hermoso in the players' category.

As coach she voted for Hayes, Barcelona's Lluis Cortes and Bev Priestman of Canada.

Tony Gustavsson, Matildas' coach, voted for Kerr, Putellas and Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema.

Kerr polled 38 points, 14 behind Putellas, five ahead of Hermoso.

Australian Associated Press