BBC's Women's Footballer of the Year: Veronica Boquete

If you want an idea of Veronica Boquete's place in Spanish football, watch the reaction to the goal that ensured her country reached the 2013 European Championship - their first appearance at the competition in 16 years.

Not only does the Spanish commentator repeat "gol, gol, gol, gol de Espana" for a full 35 seconds, but the entire squad bundle on top of Boquete to celebrate their injury-time play-off win over Scotland.

It was a seminal moment for women's football in Spain and, in slamming the ball into the net, the 28-year-old attacking midfielder justified her tag as Spain's best player.

Boquete, or "Vero", will be playing in her first World Cup in Canada this summer

In 2013, Boquete - known as Vero - became the first women's footballer from Spain to publish an autobiography and her rise to stardom has dovetailed with the recent success of the national team.

Following their journey to the Euro 2013 quarter-finals, La Roja have now made it to their first World Cup after an unbeaten qualifying campaign.

Success has followed Boquete - who is from the Galicia region in north-west Spain - in club football, too.

The playmaker began her career at Zaragoza, then joined Espanyol before moving to the United States for a short period. She then signed for Swedish side Tyreso in 2012 and helped them reach last season's Champions League final.

After returning to the US with Portland Thorns, she was then recruited by German team Frankfurt, who are on course to reach this season's final and are chasing a Bundesliga title.

On receiving her nomination, she said: "I'm really, really happy. It means I've been doing a good job over the last year. It's also an extra motivation for the future."

The World Cup in Canada could provide a fitting stage.