Soccer-American Rapinoe wins women's Ballon d'Or award

United States midfielder Megan Rapinoe won the women's Ballon d'Or award on Monday after helping her country to retain the World Cup in France this year. The 34-year-old was the driving force behind the U.S. team that claimed a record-extending fourth world title in July and netted a penalty in the final against the Netherlands.

Rapinoe, who is also the captain of Reign FC in the U.S. National Women's Soccer League, succeeds in Norway's Ada Hegerberg, who did not feature at the World Cup. The award is based on a vote by international journalists.