It is a query that is rising with the sport itself. As ladies’s sport evolves, as does the technicality and physicality, together with the controversy over the names dominating on the elite stage.
Right here at FourFourTwo , we thought it was solely proper to resolve for ourselves…
This was a listing that was difficult to resolve. The listing was led by ladies’s soccer editor, Sarah Rendell , earlier than different soccer consultants at FourFourTwo have been requested for his or her opinions.
Gamers have been judged by their present standing within the recreation no matter longevity, although achievements have been thought of, whereas gamers internationally have been up for inclusion – and never simply these in Europe. Gamers have been famous for his or her contributions each internationally and at membership stage, with gamers from all positions thought of, too.
This was a listing, too, during which extra than simply technical capacity mattered. An total effectiveness was key to the collection of a number of skills, with big-game prowess or versatility mattering, in sure circumstances.
Readers might disagree with the alternatives or the order however each participant on the listing is a world-class expertise – so who has made the listing? And who’s the most effective participant on this planet? And do you agree? Tell us @FourFourTwo on social…
50-41 50. Jess Fishlock
Jess Fishlock is a family identify in ladies’s soccer (Picture credit score: Jan Kruger/Getty Photos)
Wales worldwide Jess Fishlock will go down as among the finest gamers of all-time. She overtook Gareth Bale as Wales’ top-scorer in 2024 and has 46 objectives for her nation. Fishlock additionally holds the caps document with 156 to her identify.
At membership stage she proceed to play for Reign FC, who she has been competing for since 2013. She has had a number of mortgage deal throughout that point however she has performed for the membership over 200 occasions. All through her profession she has additionally gained the Champions League twice, as soon as with Frankfurt and as soon as with Lyon.
49. Sjoeke Nusken
Sjoeke Nusken is adept throughout the pitch (Picture credit score: Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC through Getty Photos)
Chelsea and Germany participant Sjoeke Nusken makes the listing for her versatility. Within the 2023/24 season she performed each place on the pitch for the Blues except for goalkeeper and he or she was adept in any respect of them.
The flexibility permits membership and nation to have the ability to adapt to any state of affairs on the pitch.
She was an important a part of Chelsea profitable the WSL in Emma Hayes’ final season and proved to be an astute signing by the membership.
48. Esmee Brugts
Esmee Brugts has thrived within the Netherlands staff (Picture credit score: Jeroen van den Berg/Soccrates/Getty Photos)
We may see Esmee Brugts climbing this listing in years to come back however for now, as she stays extra on the fringes of the Barcelona staff she solely simply makes the listing. She has impressed since shifting to the Spanish giants however has fierce competitors on the membership.
She has been phenomenal for her nationwide facet the Netherlands, particularly on the 2023 World Cup.
47. Selma Bacha
Selma Bacha is integral to Lyon (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Lyon defender Selma Bacha is a flexible risk as she is impeccable within the again three however she at all times manages to weave her means up the pitch to ship pinpoint crosses. She got here by way of the youth ranks at Lyon and since making her senior debut 2017 she has gained 16 trophies.
She has additionally began to place her footprint on the France staff since profitable her first cap in 2021. Bacha wants a number of extra years to be totally cemented.
46. Wendie Renard
Wendie Renard is among the most profitable gamers of all time (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Whereas Wendie Renard shouldn’t be fairly nearly as good as she as soon as, she would nonetheless make plenty of followers’ beginning 11 for not solely her management however her astuteness on the pitch.
Renard, who’s captain of Lyon, stays lethal on a set piece together with her headers iconic. her capacity to learn the sport and anticipate opposition strikes is second to none.
She joined Lyon in 2006 and has gone on to win 37 trophies and counting. Renard is a footballing icon and the French worldwide exhibits no signal of slowing down simply but.
45. Georgia Stanway
Georgia Stanway has gained the Euros (Picture credit score: Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA through Getty Photos)
Georgia Stanway has been a stable participant for England, scoring the winner within the Euros quarter-final towards Spain in 2022 when the Lionesses gained the event. She was additionally part of the squad that reached the 2023 World Cup ultimate.
She has gone from strength-to-strength after becoming a member of Bayern Munich from Manchester Metropolis 2022. She has gained two Frauen Bundesliga titles and a German cup since becoming a member of the facet.
44. Athenea del Castillo
Athenea del Castillo has cleaned up at worldwide stage (Picture credit score: Diego Souto/Getty Photos)
Spain and Actual Madrid ahead Athenea del Castillo is greatest identified for her dribbling expertise. She is among the greatest Actual Madrid gamers within the staff however the membership are but to win any silverware together with her within the facet. Del Castillo has been on the membership since 2021.
Regardless of her lack of silverware at membership stage, she has greater than made up for it on the worldwide stage. She gained the World Cup and Nations League with Spain. She shouldn’t be a daily starter for the nationwide facet however makes an influence from the bench.
43. Mariona Caldentey
Mariona Caldentey has been spectacular for Spain (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Mariona Caldentey is one other alum from the celebrated Barcelona staff, who she performed for for 10 years and gained 22 trophies. She moved to Arsenal in 2024 and has grow to be one of many Gunners’ most necessary gamers, significantly within the Champions League.
The ahead has additionally been a key participant in Spain’s staff profitable the World Cup and the Nations League lately.
42. Kerolin
Kerolin starred on the Olympics (Picture credit score: Phil Walter/Getty Photos)
Brazil’s Kerolin had an excellent 2023 World Cup and contributed to the staff profitable a silver medal on the 2024 Olympics. She not solely shines on the worldwide stage together with her capacity to string a staff play collectively however for membership North Carolina Braveness.
The star has gained the NWSL Problem Cup twice since becoming a member of the facet in 2022.
41. Tabitha Chawinga
Tabitha Chawinga first had her breakthrough at Inter (Picture credit score: Florencia Tan Jun – UEFA/UEFA through Getty Photos)
Tabitha Chawinga has at all times been a constant performer however actually hit her stride on a mortgage transfer to Inter Milan within the 2022/23 season. She was the Serie A high scorer with 23 objectives within the league that season.
The next season, on a mortgage take care of Paris Saint-Germain, she turned the primary Malawian participant to attain within the Ladies’s Champions League. Her unbelievable performances earned her a everlasting spot within the Lyon squad, who she joined in 2024.
40-31 40. Asisat Oshoala
Asisat Oshoala is a Barcelona legend (Picture credit score: ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/AFP through Getty Photos)
Asisat Oshoala is a Barcelona legend and earlier than she left in 2024 she has gained 14 trophies in her 5 years on the membership.
She was an integral half in constructing the Barca staff into what it’s now however was receiving much less minutes due to the opposite world class expertise within the squad. She moved to Bay FC.
Oshoala can be an icon for Nigeria and has been enjoying for the nationwide facet since 2013. She has performed in a number of tournaments for the staff and have become the primary Tremendous Falcons participant to attain at three consecutive World Cups
39. Kadidiatou Diani
Diani was spectacular for ex-team PSG (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
France and Lyon’s Kadidiatou Diani might not at all times be essentially the most flash in entrance of aim however she will get the job executed. She a vital participant in Paris Saint-Germain’s staff and it was an enormous transfer when she transferred to their rivals Lyon in 2023.
She was the highest scorer within the 2023/24 Ladies’s Champions League and he or she has additionally impressed for France, scoring a hat-trick towards Panama on the 2023 World Cup.
38. Trinity Rodman
Trinity Rodman was a vital a part of the Olympic staff (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
In her first NWSL season Trinity Rodman gained the Championship and gained Rookie of the 12 months. She has continued to play nicely for Washington Spirit and it earned her a name as much as the USWNT in 2022. She scored three objectives on the 2024 Paris Video games the place the US gained the gold medal.
And should you assume you recognise her final identify, you do. Her father is Dennis Rodman, the NBA legend.
37. Melchie Dumornay
Melchie Dumornay with a Man of the Match award for Lyon (Picture credit score: Valerio Pennicino – UEFA/UEFA through Getty Photos)
Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay is taken into account probably the most promising skills in world soccer. She has at all times had wonderful passing expertise and a capability to learn the sport which earned her a contract at Lyon. Being surrounded by world class gamers on the membership has solely aided her soccer.
She moved to Lyon in 2023 and gained two trophies in her first season. Dumornay might have been born in 2003 however she can be the most effective participant within the Haitian staff.
36. Sophia Smith
Sophia Smith is a future USWNT (Picture credit score: Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Photos)
Sophia Smith gained her first cap for the USWNT in 2020 after an excellent first NWSL season and he or she was the primary particular person born within the 2000s to play for the staff. She is but to hit her peak however her soccer up to now has been completely spectacular.
She was a crucial a part of the staff who gained gold on the 2024 Olympics. She was named US performed of the 12 months in 2022 and was voted the MVP of the SheBelieves Cup in 2024.
35. Caroline Weir
Caroline Weir scores unbelievable objectives (Picture credit score: Ian MacNicol/Getty Photos)
Is a Caroline Weir aim actually a Caroline Weir aim with out being a belter from exterior the field? Manchester Metropolis followers obtained used to seeing them, particularly in a Manchester derby, when she performed for them till she moved to Actual Madrid in 2022. She has continued to hit unbelievable objectives since becoming a member of the Spanish facet.
Her profession stalled in 2023 although as she suffered an ACL rupture.
34. Lucia Garcia
Lucia Garcia was one in all United’s greatest (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Lucia Garcia was unquestionably Manchester United’s greatest participant once they gained the FA Cup in 2024. She was participant of the match within the ultimate towards Tottenham and it was an enormous blow to the membership when she left on a free switch that summer season to Monterrey.
The ahead, who may also play as a winger, made her debut for Spain in 2018 however she made herself unavailable for choice in 2022 and 2023 to enhance the requirements within the staff.
33. Pernille More durable
Pernille More durable is a Danish legend (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Denmark and Bayern Munich’s Pernille More durable has been so constant that she has gained the league title in 9 consecutive seasons for 3 completely different golf equipment. She shouldn’t be solely a risk in entrance of aim however she can be capable of slice staff’s defence open to place her facet on the frontfoot.
More durable can be Denmark’s all-time scorer with a prolific worldwide profession. In addition to unbelievable feats onfield, she additionally advocates for LGBTQ+ rights.
32. Alexandra Popp
Alexandra Popp is an icon (Picture credit score: Matt McNulty – FIFA/FIFA through Getty Photos)
Wolfsburg striker Alexandra Popp is arguably Germany’s greatest participant to grace a pitch. Earlier than retiring from worldwide soccer in 2024 she scored 67 objectives in 144 video games.
Throughout Euro 2022 she scored in each recreation she performed in, being an important participant in guiding Germany to the ultimate. Popp pulled up injured within the warm-up at Wembley and so didn’t play within the ultimate with England profitable 2-1. Who’s to say what would have occurred had Popp been capable of play.
For her membership soccer, she has performed for Wolfsburg since 2012 the place she has gained 19 trophies.
31. Marie-Antoinette Katoto
Marie-Antoinette Katoto has suffered an ACL in her profession (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
France’s Marie-Antoinette Katoto is lethal with frontfoot ball, she turned Paris Saint-Germain’s high scorer in February 2022 on the age of simply 23. An ACL damage hampered her progress in 2022 however upon her return she has hit the bottom operating with kind.
She took a break from worldwide soccer in 2023 to extend the requirements for the French staff. Katoto returned to the pitch for France in December 2023 and he or she scored within the match towards Austria.
30-21 30. Barbra Banda
Barbra Banda is among the greatest African gamers ever (Picture credit score: Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)
Barbra Banda is a prolific scorer for membership Orlando Delight however extra so for nationwide staff Zambia. She is the highest scorer within the Olympics for an African participant with three hat-tricks over two Video games.
She moved to Orlando Delight in 2024 and gained the NWSL Championship in her first season. Banda was additionally named BBC’s ladies’s footballer of the 12 months in 2024.
29. Naomi Girma
Naomi Girma is a fan favorite (Picture credit score: Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA through Getty Photos)
Naomi Girma broke into the USWNT staff the identical 12 months she began her senior membership profession. She was drafted by San Diego Wave in 2022 and some months later she gained her first cap for the US. Whereas she was at school she was known as into the US camp however didn’t make her debut.
The defender has grow to be a fan favorite ever since and performed at her first World Cup in 2023. Later that 12 months she was named US participant of the 12 months, turning into the primary defender to win the award. She was additionally a key a part of the gold medal profitable staff on the 2024 Olympics.
28. Beth Mead
Beth Mead is a Gunners legend (Picture credit score: Richard Pelham – The FA/The FA through Getty Photos)
Whereas Beth Mead’s present kind is inferior to the heights of 2022, she continues to be a dependable possibility for Arsenal and England. On the Euros in 2022 she gained the Golden Boot and participant of the event within the Lionesses profitable run.
She ruptured her ACL and so couldn’t go to the World Cup. On her return to the pitch she was a starter underneath Jonas Eidevall however underneath interim boss Renee Slegers she has been a bench possibility extra typically. Her area consciousness and passing accuracy are nonetheless off the charts.
27. Mary Earps
Mary Earps is the one keeper on the listing (Picture credit score: Maryam Majd/Getty Photos)
Paris Saint-Germain and England goalkeeper Mary Earps is a fan favorite and never only for her viral moments. She has greater than proved herself within the Lionesses aim, being a central determine to their 2022 Euros win.
Beneath Sarina Wiegman she has completely been the primary selection, although she now faces some competitors from Hannah Hampton. Earps went viral in 2022 for dancing on a desk after profitable the Euros after which once more in 2023 after saving a penalty within the World Cup ultimate.
26. Vivianne Miedema
Vivianne Miedema is the WSL high scorer (Picture credit score: Justin Setterfield/Getty Photos)
Damage might have impacted Vivianne Miedema’s previous few seasons however she continues to be among the many greatest on this planet. The Manchester Metropolis and Netherland ahead stays the all-time WSL scorer and is the highest scorer for her nation too.
Her greatest scoring season within the league got here within the 2018/19 marketing campaign however she has continued to be a constant gamers for the facet she has competed for. Earlier than knee surgical procedure curtailed the begin to her 2024/25 season, she scored on her debut for Metropolis towards her former membership Arsenal.
Her knee has been the principle damage to have an effect on her profession after she ruptured her ACL in late 2022. She has had points with it ever since however when totally match is nearly as good as she ever was.
25. Lena Oberdorf
Lena Oberdorf is a strong participant (Picture credit score: Jasmin Walter/Getty Photos for DFB)
Lena Oberdorf is a robust and bodily midfielder who battles each opponent nicely. An ideal instance of a duel together with Oberdorf was her battle towards Georgia Stanway within the 2022 Euros ultimate. England gained the sport however Oberdorf obtained a number of hits in earlier than full-time.
She is at present out with an ACL damage however on pitch has been a constant star which earned her a transfer to Bayern Munich within the 2024 summer season switch window. Bayern are in good kind and can solely go to a different stage when Oberdorf returns.
24. Katie McCabe
Katie McCabe is integral to membership and nation (Picture credit score: Tim Clayton/Corbis through Getty Photos)
Arsenal’s Katie McCabe is essentially the most booked participant in WSL historical past however there may be extra to her recreation than her physicality.
An instance of the talent she brings to groups got here when she was enjoying for the Republic of Eire. The staff have been enjoying Canada on the 2023 World Cup and McCabe fired house immediately from a nook. So as to add to the feat it was the staff’s first-ever World Cup aim.
She is among the first names on Arsenal’s staff sheet and has gained the WSL, FA Cup and three League Cups since becoming a member of the Gunners in 2015.
23. Lauren James
Lauren James has been plagued with damage in 2024 (Picture credit score: Harriet Lander – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC through Getty Photos)
Chelsea and England’s Lauren James has shortly grow to be a fan favorite for her passing expertise, capacity to beat defenders and rating on massive events.
She scored two hat-tricks at Stamford Bridge within the 2023/24 season and solely damage has prevented her from persevering with her kind. All through the latter a part of 2024 she has been plagued with damage which has stopped her profitable minutes for membership and nation.
James’ recreation shouldn’t be but utterly well-rounded together with her decision-making not at all times on level. However she continues to be solely a younger participant and if she refines that space there shall be no stopping her when she is again to full health.
22. Erin Cuthbert
Erin Cuthbert for Chelsea
Chelsea and Scotland midfielder Erin Cuthbert is understood for under scoring worldie objectives. She can be one of many major linchpins of the Blues staff and is unbelievable at attacking and defending within the midfield.
She is arguably the most effective present Scottish participant within the ladies’s recreation and he or she provides character together with her character too. There was debate round a aim celebration she did towards Everton in November 2024 the place followers thought she was taking the mick out of England captain Leah Williamson.
21. Lauren Hemp
Lauren Hemp sustained a knee damage in 2024 (Picture credit score: Warren Little/Getty Photos)
Manchester Metropolis’s Lauren Hemp is among the greatest for creating possibilities. Her mixture with Bunny Shaw is lethal for Metropolis as Hemp is at all times capable of finding Shaw within the field. She can be able to ending off her personal possibilities too.
She has additionally grown in her function within the Lionesses staff too, turning into a positive starter from the 2023 World Cup onwards. She gained the Euros with the staff in 2022 too.
20-11 20. Fridolina Rolfo
Fridolina Rolfo has thrived at Barcelona (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Sweden worldwide Fridolina Rolfo is the most recent Barcelona participant to make the listing, they’re the most effective membership in Europe as a result of they’ve the most effective gamers.
The ahead shouldn’t be at all times on the scoresheet together with her teammates Graham Hansen and Paralluelo slotting so much for the Spanish membership however Rolfo continues to be a world class participant for the outfit.
She has gained 9 trophies with Barcelona but additionally plied her commerce successfully at golf equipment like Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich earlier than shifting to Barca in 2021. Rolfo’s worldwide profession is sort of as prolific as her membership. She has gained two silver Olympic medals and three bronze World Cup medals.
19. Sam Kerr
Sam Kerr holds a number of data (Picture credit score: Shane Anthony Sinclair – UEFA/UEFA through Getty Photos)
Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr’s data converse for themselves. She is the one ladies’s footballer to have recorded Golden Boots in three completely different leagues: Australia, USA and England.
Kerr nonetheless holds the document for essentially the most objectives scored within the Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League regardless of leaving the league in 2019.
Kerr can be Australia’s high scorer and is the Matildas captain. The one purpose she shouldn’t be increased on the listing is a few gamers have progressed whereas Kerr has been on the sidelines nursing an ACL damage. She is predicted to return to the pitch in 2025, the place little doubt she is going to climb lists like these as soon as once more.
18. Giulia Gwinn
Giulia Gwinn is progressing nicely (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Giulia Gwinn is predominantly a defender however she can be able to enjoying as a midfielder for Bayern Munich and Germany. She performs as an attacking wingback.
Gwinn is a part of a formidable Bayern Munich facet who’re in nice kind within the 2024/25 season with outcomes together with a 5-2 win over Arsenal within the Ladies’s Champions League.
Gwinn can be hitting her stride in a German shirt. Whereas Germany’s 4-3 win over England in October 2024 was not an entire efficiency by the staff, Gwinn had a terrific recreation. She scored two objectives with one an unbelievable penalty.
17. Guro Reiten
Reiten roars after a aim (Picture credit score: James Fearn/Getty Photos)
If the definition of ardour needed to be an image it might be a photograph of Guro Reiten after scoring for membership Chelsea or nationwide staff Norway.
Her stage has been one of many major causes the Blues have returned silverware season-on-season and he or she was on the coronary heart of the efficiency which re-awakened Chelsea’s bid for the WSL trophy within the 2023/24 season.
Manchester Metropolis had an excellent aim distinction over the Blues heading into the ultimate two matches however Chelsea began to show the tide towards Bristol Metropolis once they gained 8-0. Reiten scored 4 that day and roared in celebration after every one.
Chelsea went on to win the WSL title that season. Her goal-scoring is not the one string in her bow together with her passing capacity world class.
16. Patri Guijarro
Patri Guijarro has boycotted Spain (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
It isn’t shocking that one other of the spectacular all-conquering Barcelona staff has made this listing and in sixteenth is Patri Guijarro.
She is able to enjoying offensively and defensively however sees herself extra as an offensive midfielder at present. She joined the Spanish giants in 2015 and has gone onto win 22 trophies with no signal of the staff letting up on their kind.
Patri was additionally one other participant who boycotted the Spain staff to ensure that requirements to enhance for gamers. This meant she didn’t make herself obtainable for choice for the 2023 World Cup.
15. Alex Greenwood
Alex Greenwood has grow to be among the finest defenders on this planet (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
England’s Alex Greenwood gained the Euros in 2022 and was the staff’s standout participant of their run to the World Cup ultimate a 12 months later. She is an absolute brick wall in defence and could be most supporter’s first identify on a staff sheet.
After Steph Houghton retired she was named Manchester Metropolis’s captain and the management function has solely added to her recreation. Though Metropolis misplaced 2-0 to Chelsea within the 2024/25 WSL season at Stamford Bridge, Greenwood had a spectacular recreation.
She was additionally one in all Metropolis’s greatest gamers once they defeated defending Ladies’s Champions League champions Barcelona within the group stage in 2024.
14. Alexia Putellas
Alexia Putellas is a as soon as in a era participant (Picture credit score: UEFA/UEFA through Getty Photos)
The Barcelona and Spain icon is a trailblazer within the sport together with her excellent contributions to dominant groups. She has gained every part she will except for the Euros, which Spain shall be concentrating on subsequent summer season.
Putellas has gained the Ballon d’Or twice however her profession was placed on maintain after she ruptured her ACL in 2022. She missed the Euros that 12 months however has come again as if she by no means left. Putellas contributed to Spain’s World Cup win and he or she has moved to Barcelona’s third-highest aim scorer.
13. Rachael Kundananji
Rachael Kundananji is the most costly participant on the planet (Picture credit score: SAEED KHAN/AFP through Getty Photos)
Rachael Kundananji turned the most costly participant on this planet within the 2024 winter switch window when Bay FC purchased her for $860,000 from Madrid CFF and it is clear to see why. She is the electrical bolt groups want to interrupt down their opposition.
A efficiency which sums up simply how unbelievable she is with and with out the ball was Zambia 3-2 win over Germany on the 2023 World Cup. She was impactful all through the event however her contributions throughout that recreation, together with a aim, impressed the win.
12. Mapi Leon
Mapi Leon is among the greatest passers on Earth (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Barcelona defender Mapi Leon is a key factor of the staff turning into the large in European soccer is now’s. She will play as a left-back and centre-back and her high quality of passing is beautiful. Since becoming a member of Barcelona in 2017 she 18 trophies.
Leon was additionally one of many gamers who boycotted the World Cup as a result of they didn’t wish to play underneath Jorge Vilda and so they wished higher requirements for the Spanish staff.
11. Yui Hasegawa
Yui Hasegawa is Ballon d’Or-nominated (Picture credit score: Koji Watanabe/Getty Photos)
10-1 Japan and Manchester Metropolis’s Yui Hasegawa is arguably the WSL’s greatest midfielder and is among the greatest on this planet in her place.
She was such an integral a part of a formidable Metropolis facet within the 2023/24 season many argued she ought to have gained the PFA participant of the 12 months award as an alternative of her teammates Bunny Shaw.
Hasegawa was additionally nominated for the Ballon d’Or after constant performances for membership and nation. She began all 4 matches for Japan on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
10. Mayra Ramirez
Mayra Ramirez has impressed at Chelsea (Picture credit score: Alex Broadway/Getty Photos)
Mayra Ramirez was drafted into Chelsea’s staff after two of their forwards, Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel, ruptured their ACLs. The Colombia worldwide had impressed on the 2023 World Cup and for former membership Levante. The signing has been among the finest the Blues have executed in latest seasons.
Ramirez had an exceptional efficiency towards Manchester United within the final recreation of the 2023/24 WSL season in a recreation Chelsea gained 6-0 to win their fifth consecutive league title.
She has continued to be a recreation changer for the Blues and significantly confirmed the influence she brings in a league recreation towards Manchester Metropolis within the 2024/25 season. Ramirez scored the primary aim of their 2-0 win after blowing Metropolis’s defence aside. A giant recreation participant.
9. Ada Hegerberg
Ada Hegerberg is a trailblazer (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Ada Hegerberg made historical past when she turned the primary feminine winner of a Ballon d’Or in 2018. The Norway worldwide has at all times been a historical past maker within the sport and is the very best scorer within the Ladies’s Champions League.
She was a central determine to the formidable and dominant Lyon staff and continues to contribute to their trophy success.
Hegerberg is also a trailblazer in ladies’s soccer as she protested her nationwide staff. She did not play for Norway for 5 years as a result of she didn’t just like the federation’s perspective in the direction of ladies’s soccer. Now that has improved she is as soon as once more a key participant for the nationwide staff.
With Lyon she has gained six Champions League titles and 9 French league trophies.
8. Bunny Shaw
Bunny Shaw is a prolific scorer (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw is among the major causes Manchester Metropolis are combating for silverware once more. Her goal-scoring capacity is second to none and he or she was he WSL Golden Boot winner within the 2023/24 season, turning into the primary Man Metropolis participant to take action.
She broke her foot in the direction of the top of that season and a few pundits lay that as the explanation Chelsea pipped Metropolis on the ultimate day of the season to win the title.
Shaw shouldn’t be solely spectacular for Metropolis but additionally for her worldwide staff in Jamaica. She was a part of the facet who reached the World Cup final 16 for the primary time in 2023.
7. Linda Caicedo
Linda Caicedo was nominated for the Puskas Award (Picture credit score: Inma Flores – UEFA/UEFA through Getty Photos)
Columbia’s Linda Caicedo turned a family identify after her beautiful performances on the 2023 World Cup the place her facet reached the quarter-finals for the primary time. She earned her beginning shirt with spectacular expertise she placed on show for membership Actual Madrid.
It is scary to assume she is so early on in her profession and he or she is a well-rounded participant. The soccer world may be very a lot her oyster.
6. Ona Batlle
Ona Batlle left United in 2023 (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Barcelona and Spain defender Ona Batlle is one in all, if not the, greatest full-back on this planet. Her transfer from Manchester United to Barcelona in 2023 noticed her win the beginning shirt from Lucy Bronze, which contributed to Bronze shifting to Chelsea.
Batlle was phenomenal for United and was one of many WSL’s greatest gamers when she was on the facet and he or she has solely obtained higher with Barca. She gained the quadruple in her first season with the Spanish giants.
5. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd is in good kind (Picture credit score: Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Photos)
Chelsea star Johanna Rytting Kaneryd has been a stable participant for the Blues since becoming a member of in 2022 however the 2024/25 season is the place she has come into her powers.
She holds all of the solutions when Chelsea are posed attacking questions and groups wrestle to comprise her. Once they do, Chelsea discover it more and more harder breaking down groups. Kaneryd is within the type of her life and there aren’t any indicators she is slowing down.
4. Keira Walsh
Keira Walsh performs for Barca (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Keira Walsh has at all times been among the many greatest on this planet however the 2022 European Championship introduced the most effective out of the midfielder.
She was the linchpin of the England staff who beat Germany within the ultimate to win the title. The whole staff performed the soccer by way of Walsh, who was participant of the ultimate at Wembley.
Walsh moved to Barcelona after the event, the place her soccer has solely progressed. She has gained every part in Spain, together with the Champions League.
3. Caroline Graham Hansen
(Picture credit score: Buda Mendes/Getty Photos)
It’s baffling how Caroline Graham Hansen has solely made the Ballon d’Or high three as soon as, she defies physics with how good her soccer is. Her passing accuracy, capturing expertise and defending are on one other planet and he or she has been at such a excessive constant stage all through her profession.
In her membership profession throughout Stabaek, Wolfsburg and Barcelona she has gained 29 trophies. The Norway worldwide has additionally been voted her nation’s greatest footballer 4 occasions.
2. Salma Paralluelo
(Picture credit score: Buda Mendes – FIFA/FIFA through Getty Photos)
Salma Paralluelo has electrical tempo and exact capturing capabilities which has aided her membership Barcelona and nationwide staff Spain.
Her prowess on the pitch is underpinned by a slice of historical past and he or she is the one participant to have ever gained the World Cup, the U20 World Cup and the U17 World Cup.
She transferred to Spanish giants Barcelona in 2022 and has gone on to win a number of titles.
Her minutes at Barcelona helped her win her first cap for Spain in November 2022 and he or she scored a hat-trick within the recreation, a 7-0 win towards Argentina. The younger expertise is certain to go on to win much more silverware.
1. Aitana Bonmati
Aitana Bonmati is untouchable on the high (Picture credit score: FRANCK FIFE/AFP through Getty Photos)
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati is unquestionably the most effective participant on this planet proper now. Not solely did she assist information her staff to a World Cup win in 2023, however she is constantly Barcelona’s greatest star.
In her senior profession she has solely ever performed for Barcelona and has up to now gained 5 Spanish league titles, three Champions League trophies, six Copa de la Reina’s and 4 Spanish cups.
Bonmati has been an integral a part of Barcelona dominating European soccer and has been rewarded with particular person acclaim due to it.
She gained the Ballon d’Or in 2023 and 2024 and was named FIFA’s greatest in 2023.
