DUNFERMLINE football star Caroline Weir has described being shortlisted for the 2017 Women’s World XI as “an honour”.

The Liverpool Ladies and Scotland midfielder, who attended Dunfermline High School, was one of 55 players from around the globe who were shortlisted following a poll by FIFPro, the worldwide representative organisation for professional footballers.

Pars fan Caroline, 22, was one of 29 players who make their first appearance in the list of 55, which was compiled after more than 4,100 female footballers in 45 countries cast their votes to select one goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers.

Weir was the only Scottish player to feature on the list, which included star names such as the USA’s two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and World Cup winner Carli Lloyd, Germany’s 2015 World XI defender Leonie Maier, England captain Steph Houghton and Netherlands’ Euro 2017 winning Barcelona forward Lieke Martens.

FIFPro announced the players that have been voted into the team today (Thursday), which is International Women’s Day, and although she didn't make the final eleven, Weir said: “It’s great to be named alongside so many talented players.

“I am really enjoying my football at the moment and have a lot of ambitions for 2018, so to be recognised like this is an honour.

“I would like to thank my team-mates who are always pushing me to be a better player.”

The full FIFPro Women's World XI is: Hedvig Lindahl (Sweden - Chelsea FC); Lucy Bronze (England - Olympique Lyonnais), Nilla Fischer (Sweden - VfL Wolfsburg), Wendie Renard (France - Olympique Lyonnais), Irene Paredes (Spain - Paris Saint-Germain); Camille Abily (France - Olympique Lyonnais), Dzsenifer Marozsán (Germany - Olympique Lyonnais), Marta Vieira da Silva (Brazil - Orlando Pride); Pernille Harder (Denmark - VfL Wolfsburg), Lieke Martens (The Netherlands - FC Barcelona), Alex Morgan (United States - Orlando Pride).

The latest honour to fall Weir’s way comes after a memorable 2017, which began with her being named as Scotland’s Player of the Year after topping a fan poll.

After winning the Sporting Breakthrough Award at the inaugural 2017 Nordoff Robbins Scotland (NRS) Scottish Sporting Awards, she was shortlisted for the both the PFA Players’ Player and Young Player of the Year awards, while Liverpool’s fans voted her as their Player of the Year.

The highlight of her year, which was also saw her named as the Leesa Northwest Football Awards’ Women’s Player of the Year and finish as Liverpool’s top scorer last season, came in July when she played in all three of Scotland’s games at their first major tournament finals.

Weir grabbed the goal that gave them their first victory, against Spain, in their final group match of Euro 2017 but defeats to England and Portugal saw them exit the tournament on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Weir earned her 47th and 48th senior caps as Scotland saw off New Zealand in a friendly double-header.

The games, which were played in the Murcia area of Spain, were arranged by head coach Shelley Kerr ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifiers in Switzerland and at home to Poland.

The Scots won the first game 2-0 on Saturday and repeated the feat on Tuesday, with Weir starting the move that led to Fiona Brown’s opener in the latter.

Former St Columba’s High School pupil Lucy Graham, who was recalled to squad after missing friendlies with Norway and Russia in January, was an unused substitute in both matches.