The FIFA Ballon d’Or gala in Zurich on Monday night reminded us of the merits of USA soccer starlet Alex Morgan and prompted her selection as the first Arena Angel of 2013.

The 23-year-old striker might only have come third in the voting for FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, but she was definitely the stand out player of the awards night and certainly did enough to secure her spot as the first Arena Angel of the year.

California-born and raised, Morgan won Olympic Gold in 2012 with the USA team to cap her meteoric rise to the top of the game in the States.

Morgan is known by the nickname ‘Baby Horse’ by her US teammates – but we can’t see anything obviously equine about the Seattle Sounders star so will have to leave that one up to your imagination.

Combining obvious athletic ability and strength required for football, a keen eye for the goal and a girl-next-door charm – Alex Morgan was an obvious choice to get the ball rolling for the Arena Angels of 2013.