When news broke of FIFA’s Marta Award nominations, Brentford Women striker Ashley Cheatley wasn’t aware she had joined the world’s best in being nominated.

A Teams message from a work colleague tipped Cheatley off while she was relaxing at home and, after some research, the Brentford no.16 realised the magnitude of the award and the players she sat alongside.

Cheatley joined fellow nominees Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign), Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Australia), Jon Ryong-jong (Korea DPR), Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands), Kishi Nunez (Argentina), Lizbeth Ovalle (Tigres), Ally Sentnor (USA), Khadija Shaw (Manchester City) and Marta (Orlando Pride), who the award is named after.

The award celebrates the most spectacular goals of the qualifying period from 11 August 2024 to 2 August 2025.

Cheatley’s effort came last November when she opened Brentford’s FA Cup first round clash against Ascot United with a moment of individual brilliance at Bedfont Sports Club.

Receiving a pass from Maddie Phillips in the middle of the box, Cheatley kept the ball up with her right foot, the ball looping her direct opponent, setting it up perfectly for the striker to smash it into the back of the net with a bicycle kick.

Reflecting on when she found out about her nomination, Cheatley said it took multiple days to digest the information.

“I was actually in the bath, funnily enough… then I got a Teams message from one of my colleagues and they were like ‘You’re a star’,” she explained.

“With that, I’ve seen FIFA Marta Award nominee and I was like ‘Hang on a minute, this isn’t Brentford, what is going on?’

“It was mad for me, even the day after, I don’t think I’d quite digested it. I was in a Tesco car park and I just had a moment to myself, I just had to get it out, all my emotions were sky high, so I just had a little scream.”

The ensuing days saw Cheatley’s social media flooded with messages of support and praise, while media requests came in thick and fast.

“It’s been a bit overwhelming, in all honesty," she explained.

"At first, I hadn’t really digested it and then, as the days have sort of progressed and more and more people are talking about it and I’m seeing it all over social media, I’m like, ‘Maybe this actually is real’.

“It’s been a lot but it’s been nice as well, it’s quite a special thing for me and my family.

“It just shows no matter who you are, no matter what team you play for, anything’s possible. 10 years ago, I would have never thought I’m going to pull off a wonder goal and be nominated for the Marta Award.

“It’s a big statement for the club and myself and hopefully that can inspire the younger players to do the same, work up and be their best.”

While a perennial goalscorer in her own right throughout her career, including 46 goals across all competitions last season for the Bees, Cheatley was still starstruck at the calibre of player she was nominated alongside.

Included within the nominees are World Cup and Champions League winner Mariona Caldentey, six-time FIFA Women’s Player of the Year Marta, and PFA Players’ Player of the Year winner Khadija Shaw.

“These are pro footballers, they do this every day, and you’ve just got me: I work and I play football for fun,” said Cheatley.

“Just to see my photo with the other pro footballers, it’s ridiculous.”

While reflecting on the goal, Cheatley can immediately remember the feeling that it brought her.

Considering it came in a game where Brentford won through to the second round of the FA Cup for the first time ever, the goal held extra significance for her and the club.

“I can remember the feeling like it was yesterday, I still watch it to this day,” said Cheatley.

“Because it happened so quickly, by the time I’d kicked it into the back of the net and I’d hit the floor, my first instinct was to obviously look and see if the ball’s in the net.

“I don’t think that’s a feeling I’ll ever forget, and even to this day, I still get the same butterflies watching it.”

The other 10 nominations bring with them outstanding goals, from international play to club football at the highest level.

Cheatley is aware of what she is up against, but remains hopeful of a strong finish in the award: “I have had a look at the other goals and... wow.

"Up against them, I don’t think I’m going to win it, but I’d like to think maybe middle of the pack.”

The winner of the Marta Award will be determined by an equal 50 per cent split between fan votes and votes cast by a panel of FIFA legends.

Voting for the award is open now here and closes at 11.59pm CET on Wednesday 3 December.