England and Spain dominated the FIFA Women’s Best XI of 2025, a reflection of a year in which both nations set the standard at club and international level. Four England players and seven from Spain were selected, underlining their influence across the biggest stages in women’s football. The honours were shared between just three clubs – Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona – each enjoying remarkable success. Chelsea completed a domestic treble, Arsenal lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and Barcelona swept their domestic competitions while finishing as Champions League finalists.
The tone for the year was set in Europe, where Arsenal defeated Barcelona in the Champions League final to claim continental glory. Later in the summer, England and Spain met once again on the grandest international stage, contesting the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 final in a repeat of the World Cup decider from two years earlier. This time, England emerged victorious, winning on penalties to retain their European crown and settle a long-standing rivalry.
Hannah Hampton’s inclusion in the goal was the product of a flawless year for club and country. She played every minute of England’s EURO 2025 campaign, keeping 13 clean sheets and producing decisive saves throughout the knockout rounds before delivering in the penalty shootout in the final. Her performances earned her the Golden Glove and cemented her status as one of the world’s elite goalkeepers. At Chelsea, Hampton was ever-present during an unbeaten Women’s Super League season as the club claimed the league title alongside the FA Cup and League Cup, completing a domestic treble. She was later recognised individually with The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Award.
In defence, Lucy Bronze once again proved indispensable at the highest level. She combined defensive authority with attacking threat during England’s successful EURO campaign, earning a place in the tournament’s Team of the Tournament. At Chelsea, her experience and consistency were central to their treble-winning season, as she featured regularly across all competitions and continued to set standards on and off the pitch.
Leah Williamson enjoyed one of the defining years of her career, captaining Arsenal to Champions League glory with composed and commanding performances throughout the competition. Her leadership was particularly evident in the final against Barcelona, where she marshalled the defence with authority. For England, Williamson was equally influential at EURO 2025, organising the back line and helping the Lionesses remain resilient under pressure en route to another European title.
Irene Paredes was rewarded for a year of calm excellence at the heart of defence. She helped Barcelona secure Liga F and the Copa de la Reina to complete a domestic treble and played a key role in their run to the Champions League final. On the international stage, Paredes was a cornerstone of Spain’s defence during their journey to the EURO 2025 final, her reliability and leadership standing out in the biggest matches.
Ona Batlle’s selection recognised her status as one of Europe’s finest full-backs. At Barcelona, she was integral to their domestic treble and Champions League campaign, offering balance, energy and attacking quality from vast areas. In Spain, Batlle was a consistent presence throughout EURO 2025, helping the team reach the final with disciplined, intelligent performances.
Midfield was dominated by Barcelona’s influence, led by Aitana Bonmatí, who was voted The Best FIFA Women’s Player of 2025. Her year was defined by excellence, as she guided Barcelona to multiple domestic trophies and a Champions League final while finishing as the competition’s leading assist provider and being named Player of the Season. For Spain, Bonmatí was the driving force at EURO 2025, winning Player of the Tournament as she carried her side to the final with creativity, control and decisive moments.
Alongside her, Patri Guijarro’s importance lay in her ability to dictate rhythm and provide balance. She was central to Barcelona’s domestic and European success, excelling in ball recovery and positional discipline. At EURO 2025, Guijarro was once again vital for Spain, anchoring the midfield with intelligence and consistency.
Pina completed the midfield selection after a prolific attacking season. She finished as the Champions League’s top scorer, delivering decisive goals at crucial moments, while also contributing throughout Barcelona’s domestic treble. Her versatility and attacking instinct made her one of the most dangerous players in Europe during 2025.
In attack, Alexia Putellas marked her return to peak form with a year of influential performances. She contributed goals and assists as Barcelona dominated domestically and reached the Champions League final. At the same time, her leadership and experience were invaluable for Spain during their run to the EURO final.
Alessia Russo’s inclusion reflected her impact on the most significant occasions. She was instrumental in Arsenal’s Champions League triumph, scoring and assisting in decisive moments throughout the campaign. For England, Russo delivered again at EURO 2025, scoring in knockout matches and playing a key role in the Lionesses’ successful title defence.
Mariona Caldentey completed the XI after a standout year with Arsenal following her move from Barcelona. Her creativity, work rate and tactical flexibility were central to Arsenal’s Champions League success, as she contributed goals and assists across the front line. Internationally, she remained an essential part of Spain’s squad as they reached the EURO 2025 final.
The FIFA Women’s Best XI of 2025 captured a year shaped by England and Spain’s supremacy. Across domestic leagues, the Champions League and the European Championship, these players delivered consistently in the most demanding moments, collecting major trophies and defining an era of excellence at both club and international level.
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