Georgia Stanway thanked her England and Manchester City team-mates for their support after being nominated for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.
The 17-year-old playmaker impressed for both club and country in 2016.
After helping England U17s finish third at the Euros, she then scored three goals as John Griffiths’s side reached the quarter finals of the World Cup.
Stanway also made her mark at club level for champions Manchester City.
She announced herself on the big stage by scoring a sublime 30-yarder against Liverpool in the fifth round of the SSE Women’s FA Cup before scoring a hat-trick against Sunderland in FA WSL 1.
Stanway said: “I couldn’t have got on the shortlist without everyone at City and England, all my team-mates and all the coaches.
“In fact, I wouldn’t be where I am at all without them and I’m very thankful for everything they have done for me.
“It was a massive surprise. I was absolutely amazed when I found out. It’s a great way to top off the season.”
Stanway is one of 10 people on the BBC shortlist, alongside Ellie Downie (gymnastics), Sophie Ecclestone (cricket), Keelan Giles (rugby union), Tom Hamer (para-swimming), Ellie Robinson (para-swimming), Lauren Rowles (para-rowing), Jess Stretton (para-archery), Rebekah Tiler (weightlifting) and Amy Tinkler (gymnastics).
She added: “It’s a massive honour to be on the list with so many great athletes and Olympians.
“It’s really nice to be recognised and very humbling.”
Stanway is the second City and Lioness international to be nominated by the BBC for their end-of-year extravaganza, with club-mate Lucy Bronze picked out last year following her exploits at the 2015 World Cup in Canada.
Stanway said: “It was great to see Lucy on the shortlist last season.
“She’s had a great couple of years with both City and England and really deserved the recognition.
“And for me to be up for this award just shows that all the hard work does pay off.
“Hopefully our nominations can help put women’s football on the map that little bit more.”
The winner will be announced on Wednesday 14 December.
