For the second year in a row, a Chelsea professional has received the Diamond Ball, the award for the best player of the year presented by Sydsvenskan in collaboration with the Swedish Football Association. Last year it was striker Johanna Rytting Kaneryd who received the award, this year it is her defender colleague Nathalie Björn.
The justification states, among other things:
"With her flexible and powerful defensive play, she has developed into a leader on the field and a world-class center back."
Breakthrough in Rosengård
Björn began her career at the Uppsala club Vaksala, where she was part of a strong F97 litter that also included her national team colleague and childhood friend Filippa Angeldahl.
Her senior career took off when, after a short stint with Sirius in the elite league, she ended up in the women's Swedish AIK in 2014. She spent two seasons in "Gnaget", then another two in Eskilstuna before she really broke through in Rosengård. In 2019, she became Swedish champion with the Malmö club.
In the summer of 2021, Nathalie Björn was signed by Everton before champion club Chelsea lured her over in early 2024. There, just like in the Swedish national team, she has grown into one of the team's big stars and leaders.
And now she can call herself the best player of the year in Swedish football.
I knew about it before, but when I saw the award it felt more real. I am incredibly proud and grateful.
Won three titles
Last season, Chelsea won the league, FA Cup and League Cup. This summer, Björn started all of the national team's European Championship matches when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout loss to England.
"Now that I've gotten some distance from it and landed a little, this has been my best year ever. When you look back at the titles we've won and how things have gone in the national team, it really shows that it's been a good year," says the 28-year-old, who is currently out of action indefinitely due to an injury.
Facts: Nathalie Björn
TT
Born: May 4, 1997 (28 years old).
Position: back.
Club: Chelsea.
Previous clubs: Vaksala SK, Sirius, AIK, Eskilstuna, Rosengård, Everton.
Senior internationals/goals: 82/6.
The Diamond Ball was established by the Swedish Football Association in 1990. Initially, the award was awarded in collaboration with the morning newspaper Arbetet, but when it went bankrupt in 2000, Sydsvenskan took over the role.
Previously, there was the Football Girl of the Year award (1980–89), which was a similar prize.
Recent years' award winners:
2025: Nathalie Björn, Chelsea.
2024: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Chelsea.
2023: Elin Rubensson, Häcken.
2022: Fridolina Rolfö, Barcelona.
2021: Fridolina Rolfö, Barcelona.
2020: Magdalena Eriksson, Chelsea.
2019: Caroline Seger, Rosengård.
2018: Nilla Fischer, Wolfsburg.
2017: Kosovar Asllani, Manchester City/Linköping.
2016: Hedvig Lindahl, Chelsea.
