Beth Mead laughs off being called girlfriend Vivianne Miedema’s ‘guest’ in Ballon d’Or photo

England’s Euro 2022 hero Beth Mead has laughed off being referred to as girlfriend Vivianne Miedema’s ‘guest’ in a photo at the Ballon d’Or awards on Monday night.

The picture of Mead and Miedema was taken just before the England forward, who helped guide her country to Women’s Euros glory in the summer, finished second to Barcelona‘s Alexia Putellas in the women’s Ballon d’Or rankings.

In reply to a tweet referencing the photo, Mead, 27 wrote, ‘LOL’ followed by a thumbs-up emoji and a crying laughing face emoji.

The Arsenal forward came second in the voting behind Putellas and ahead of Chelsea‘s Sam Kerr.

The picture of Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead described the England star as the Dutchwoman’s ‘guest’

England’s Women’s Euros hero Mead laughed off the caption in a reply on Twitter

Mead was named player of the tournament at the Women’s Euros and also won the golden boot with six goals and five assists, the most of any player.  

She also enjoyed a fine season with Arsenal, scoring 11 goals and making eight assists in the Women’s Super League.

But it was not enough to beat Putellas, despite the fact she missed the Euros through injury. The Barca star was the top scorer in the Spanish league with 18 goals in 26 games and also topped the charts in the Champions League, scoring 10 times in 11 matches.

Barcelona star Alexia Putellas became the first woman to retain the Ballon d’Or award after pipping Mead to the prize

The England star came second to Putellas despite helping to guide her country to Euros glory

Mead is the first English player to make the top three since Lucy Bronze finished second in 2019. 

She had travelled to the awards ceremony in the same private jet as her Arsenal team-mate and partner Miedema, who was also nominated, and Bukayo Saka.

Mead opened up about her sexuality last month after previously revealing she was in a relationship with Miedema, 26.

The Arsenal star said she struggled with her sexuality for a long time, but was now confident to open up about the subject.

Mead (right) opened up on her sexuality in an interview with Sky Sports after previously revealing she’s in a relationship with Arsenal team-mate Miedema

Mead has joked that she and Miedema (right) were the Posh and Becks ‘of the lesbian world’

She even joked in an interview with the Times in August that her and Miedema were the new Posh and Becks ‘of the lesbian world’ in reference to England legend David Beckham and his wife Victoria.

‘Actually, I’ve never physically come out and said I’m gay, I’m with a girl because I’ve not had to. I’m just being me. I’ve put pictures with my partner on social media. To me, I’ve tried to make it the normal rather than make it a statement,’ Mead told Sky Sports.

‘Obviously for the men right now, they have to put it out in the media to then see what reaction they get and I get the culture in the men’s game is still very different and it is much, much harder. But for me, I want to bridge that gap and help the men as much as the women.

‘It’s a tough process. It is emotionally and physically draining, and I get all aspects for people, but for me, you can’t help who you fall in love with and if you are happy at the end of the day.’