Kerr is yet to win the award, which was last year claimed by England defender Lucy Bronze, but is once again on the 11-player shortlist, which is based on footballing achievements from October 8, 2020 to August 6, 2021.

The Chelsea superstar, who is the only Australian nominated for a FIFA award, went to another level in that window, claiming her first Women's Super League golden boot with 21 goals.

Kerr and Chelsea also claimed WSL title, the League Cup and the Community Shield, along with reaching the Women's Champions League final for the first time.

The 28-year-old was also a standout at international level, scoring six goals at the Tokyo Olympics as captain of the Matildas - who finished fourth for their best result at the Games - to become Australia's all-time leading women's goal scorer.

Three of Kerr's Chelsea teammates in skipper Magdalena Eriksson (Sweden), fellow forward Pernille Harder (Denmark) and playmaker Jo So-Yun (South Korea) are also on the player of the year shortlist.

Barcelona stars Alexia Putellas (Spain), Caroline Graham Hanson (Norway), Jenni Hermoso (Spain) and Aitana Bonmati have been recognised after their side won the treble.

Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema, Manchester City's Bronze and Ellen White (England), Portland and Canada captain Christine Sinclair and Sweden and BK Hachen star Stina Blackstenius round out the nominees.

A public vote is now open on FIFA.com and will remain so until December 10, with three finalists announced in January. The winner will be revealed on January 17.

Meanwhile, the shortlist for the men's award is headed by perennial finalists Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and Chelsea duo N'Golo Kante and Jorginho.

The others in the running are Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, Real Madrid star Karim Benzema, Bayern Munich hot-shot Robert Lewandowski, Paris Saint-Germain's , Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, Borussia Dortmund's rising star Erling Haaland and Liverpool's Egypt international Mohamed Salah.

Australian Associated Press