Katie McCabe too busy to watch Ballon D'Or event as she admits ...

Rather, the more modest surrounds of a hotel in northern Albania awaits the Arsenal star.

“I’ve training on Monday!” she laughs.

“It’s matchday minus one, so we’ve got an evening session. I might stick it on if I’m able to, but my full focus will be on preparing for Albania on Tuesday.”

“It’s really nice. For me, I’m really enjoying my football at the minute.

“I want to put Irish football on the map and I feel we’ve done that, we’ve got girls playing all over the world, which is a fantastic thing. The Irish are able to take part.”

She wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Spain’s Aitana Bonmati will win the gong anyway.

For now, McCabe’s personal goals are inextricably linked with her country’s pursuit of Euro 2025 qualification.

Completing their business in Albania with minimum fuss tomorrow night should mark another step on that journey.

McCabe’s hat-trick heroics in Tallaght were a reminder that she may not be the best player in the world but she is the dominant personality in green.

“She’s in her prime right now as we can all see, you know, hugely influential for us, scoring, Ballon d’Or award, a top player for her club so it really is her time to shine right now and we’re just super happy that she’s with us,” puffs Ireland caretaker boss Eileen Gleeson from beneath balmy blue skies in Shkoder, where Ireland should sweep to a second win in five days on Tuesday (kick-off 5pm, live on RTE2).

“Katie is a huge influence in the dressing room, she’s you know the player and the level that other players aspire to. She demonstrates that on the pitch,” adds Gleeson.

“She’s a great work ethic, she’s able to guide the younger players, she’s able to support, she’s able to challenge.

“She has all the attributes of a really good leader and she’s demonstrating that with us and the players look up to her. She’s a really strong leader.”

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Bonmati, 25, was recently named UEFA Women's Player of the Year - and won the Golden Ball for the best Women's World Cup player and will pick up the female gong, with Lionel Messi getting the men’s award.

Not since Roy Keane in 2000 has an Irish player been nominated for the historically prestigious award, first initiated by France Football magazine 67 years ago.

Her remarkable goal against Canada last summer marked Ireland’s only goal in their maiden World Cup tournament, after her seven goals marked her down as top scorer in qualifying.

Adept in any position, from left full/wing-back – she popped up as a roaming inside right in Budapest recently – she can also operate as a number ten, or second striker – this is where her “second” Ireland career may flourish.

Her nomination is reflective of club form, too. Despite rumours of a Chelsea switch, she recently extended her deal at Arsenal and has prospered under the enigmatic Jonas Eidevall, ending the season as captain despite a stuttering start.

Last term, she claimed the WSL Goal of the Season, Arsenal’s Player of the Year for 2022/23, with three goals and four assists in 21 league games.

She has arguably kicked on this season, with three in four, all of them, to mirror one of the several chants dedicated to her, “bangers”. Her hat-trick last Friday marked her 25th goal in her 79th appearance.

She may be far removed – literally - from the conversation about the eventual winner tonight but the fact she is in the mix reflects her international status, one that only confirms her exalted reputation in Ireland.

Bonmati’s will be a new name on the fifth edition of the Ballon D’Or Feminin after Ada Hegerberg (2018), Megan Rapinoe (2019) and Alexia Putellas (2021 and 2022).

Olga Carmona, Salma Paralluelo and Alba Redondo, while Patricia Guijarro and Mapi Leon — both of whom refused to play at the tournament under former manager Jorge Vilda — are also nominated.

World Cup runners-up England have four nominated - Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Rachel Daly and Georgia Stanway. Australia and Chelsea star Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Swedish newcomer, Amanda Ilestedt of Sweden.

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham and Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund are on the 10-player shortlist for the best young player award, the Kopa Trophy.

Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is one of four Premier League goalkeepers nominated for the Yashin Trophy, for the world's best keeper.

There will also be a Gerd Muller Trophy, for the striker to score the most goals for club and country, a Socrates Award, which recognises humanitarian work, and a club of the year award.