US soccer captain Megan Rapinoe says the fact that she has been selected for the FIFpro World 11 shows how much further the women’s game still needs to grow.

She beat off competition from the likes of England’s Beth England and the US’ Christen Press despite only playing for her country this year, and her last appearance being in March.

She wrote on Twitter: "I am obviously very honoured to have been recognised by my peers around the world who vote for FIFpro World11. At the same time, it did come as a surprise to me that I met the criteria for selection as I haven’t played a match since March.

"We have so many phenomenal female players around the world and all of us need to do what we can to recognise them. The fact I was selected once again sheds light on the fact that in order to push our game forward we need continued investment in the women’s game to give female players the opportunity to be seen on TV in their home countries and globally while performing for club and country.

“The future of our game is bright, the potential is limitless, and our commitment to pushing it forward from every possible angle has to match that.”

Rapinoe had the opportunity to play for her club OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League’s Challenge Cup and Fall Series but opted out over concerns about Covid-19 and injury.

She instead spent part of the year in the Women’s National Basketball Association’s bubble with her fiancée and Seattle Storm player Sue Bird.

Rapinoe is looking to 2021 to get back on the pitch with Reign returning to action in April as the NWSL season kicks off with the Challenge Cup.

The other ten players who made the World 11 were Chile’s Christiane Endler, England’s Lucy Bronze, France’s Wendie Renard, England’s Millie Bright, France’s Delphine Cascarino, Italy’s Barbara Bonansea, Spain’s Veronica Boquete, Denmark’s Pernille Harder, The Netherlands’ Vivianne Miedema and the US’ Tobin Heath.