Carli Lloyd wins FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award

Carli Lloyd was the best player at the 2015 Women's World Cup, putting in a performance for the ages in the United States' crushing victory over Japan in the final, and now the American midfielder has been bestowed with the highest individual honour the sport has to offer.

Lloyd, 33, was named 2015 FIFA Women's Player of the Year on Monday at the governing body's annual gala, capping off a brilliant 2015 season that saw the attacking midfielder claim silverware at every turn.

"I honestly wouldn't be standing up here without my incredible team. We all know it took 23 players to win the World Cup," said a tearful Lloyd as she accepted the honour.

Related: Lloyd nets hat trick as U.S. crushes Japan, wins record 3rd Women's World Cup

Lloyd, who incredibly scored a 16-minute hat-trick in the opening half of the aforementioned final - including one goal from the halfway line - beat out German striker Celia Sasic and Japanese midfielder Aya Miyama for the award, running away with the voting.

In doing so, she follows in the footsteps of Abby Wambach (2012) and Mia Hamm (2001-02), becoming the third American woman to claim the coveted prize.