2025 was a year of change, records and key players. With the Euros, this list is dominated by players from Europe, as the leagues and international tournaments there are the strongest and most competitive in the world. From Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea, these teams have dominated domestically or on the European stage. From England to Spain, it is undoubtedly and deservedly at the top of this list, with the two nations being the only ones to win titles this year.
Alexia Putellas
For someone who has won back-to-back Ballon d’Ors, her achievements and teamwork have gone unforgotten this year, overshadowed by Aitana Bonmati, who seemed to dominate the award season. While she did lose the Champions League and the Euros finals, she was crucial to both clubs reaching those finals. She helped Barcelona dominate Liga F and the league cups, including the Copa de la Reina. Putellas was a central figure in Barcelona's UEFA Women’s Champions League run through the knockout stages
Regular starter and leader for Spain in competitive international fixtures. They became Barcelona's top midfield contributors in goals and assists across all competitions. She operated as the main tempo-setter, leading build-up play and controlling possession in big matches. She has and will be highly ranked in the world, finishing 3rd in the Ballon d’Or. She scored 15+ goals and 10+ assists among Barcelona’s top three players for chances created, progressive passes, and goal contribution from the midfield.
Caludia Pina
As well as winning in the Liga F and being a significant contributor in the Champions League, she helped Spain retain their Nations League title. The young star was thrown into the deep end in the second half of the year due to a depleted Barcelona squad and became their main goalscoring outlet. A crucial star for Spain as well. Pina was among Barcelona's leading scorers across competitions in 2024/25 and scored decisive goals in knockout fixtures. One of the squad's most efficient finishers per minute played. She scored 20+ goals and was Barcelona's top scorer in the Champions League. She averaged roughly a goal contribution every 9 minutes in the UEFA Champions League, scoring against teams like Chelsea and Wolfsburg.
Hannah Hampton
Hampton had a year to remember. She achieved a lot. Won the domestic treble with Chelsea, so the League Cup, the League, and the FA Cup. As a crucial player in those games, she recorded 13 clean sheets, which won her the Golden Glove; she conceded less than 1 goal per game, and her save percentage was consistently above 75%.
Face and save multiple penalties across competitions.
For England, Hampton became their first-choice goalkeeper after Mary Earp's retirement, heading into the Euros. She appeared in her first major tournament after finishing second in the previous two. With expectations high and crucifixes coming in strong, she took it to heart. She proved her worth on occasions, keeping England in the tournament with big saves, especially in the winning penalty shootout, saving Marion’s Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati's penalty. She became the most decorated goalkeeper of the year by FIFA and FIFPRO and won the Yasmin Trophy, the first of its kind.
Lucy Bronze
A veteran of the game achieved another domestic treble, something she’s done across Europe before with Lyon in France and Barcelona. She scored the crucial goal against Manchester United to help Chelsea secure the WSL title with two games to play. Her abilities at right-back ensured Chelsea went unbeaten in the WSL and won the League Cup and the FA Cup. Bronze is among Chelsea’s leaders in defensive duels won, successful tackles and progressive carries. For England, she did the unimaginable, played the entire Euros with a broken tibia. Scored the decisive goals to get England back into the game against Sweden, 2-1, to take the game to extra time for her to again keep England in the game in the shootout. Her first time taking part in a shootout, so she has a 100% scoring record. Even for someone in her latter years, she’s constantly over the pitch running up and down.
Alessia Russo
While she might not have scored loads of goals, if Bunny Shaw had been fit the whole season, she would have won the golden boot instead of drawing it with Russo. She scores in the crucial moments and is a team player. She was constantly creating chances with England at the Euros and also in international friendlies since. She jointly won the Golden Boot in the WSL. In all competitions, she scored 15+ goals, 8+ assists, and was Arsenal's top scorer across all competitions. She averaged three shots per game and had a high duel-win rate for a dreary. Russo was directly involved in 40% of Arsenal's league goals when on the pitch. She was a starter for England, scoring the first penalty against Sweden and the equaliser against Spain in the final. She was Sarina Wiegman's first-choice No. 9.
Who is on your list for the best women’s footballers of the year?
Add comment
Comments