BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025: Meet the Nominees
The shortlist for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025 has been revealed and, fittingly, it’s dominated by players from the two nations who reached this summer’s European Championship final: England and Spain.
Now in its eleventh year, the award was first launched in 2015 to recognise the most outstanding female footballer in the world. The winner is determined by a global public vote, following nominations from an expert panel of coaches, journalists, and former professionals who each select their top five players from the past season.
The award has previously been won by some of the game’s greatest names:
Asisat Oshoala (2015), Kim Little (2016), Ada Hegerberg (2017 & 2019), Lucy Bronze (2018 & 2020), Vivianne Miedema (2021), Beth Mead (2022), Mary Earps (2023) and Barbra Banda (2024).
This year’s five nominees Aitana Bonmatí, Hannah Hampton, Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo, and Patri Guijarro have each defined the 2024/25 season in their own way.
Here’s why each of them deserves your vote.
Aitana Bonmatí (Spain & FC Barcelona)
Bonmatí continues to be the creative heartbeat of both Barcelona and Spain.
Despite the heartbreak of losing both the UEFA Women’s Champions League final and the Euro 2025 final, she was named Player of the Tournament at the Euros scoring the decisive extra-time winner against Germany in the semi-final and leading Spain to back-to-back major finals.
At club level, she guided Barcelona to another domestic treble, contributing vital goals and assists while dictating the rhythm of play. Though illness affected her during the Euros final, her influence remained unmatched a player whose control, intelligence, and consistency make her one of the best midfielders in the world.
Bonmatí’s blend of technical precision and leadership has redefined Barcelona’s midfield era and she remains a fan favourite to take home this year’s award.
Hannah Hampton (England & Chelsea)
England’s goalkeeping hero of Euro 2025, Hannah Hampton was monumental between the posts.
She produced a tournament for the ages saving four penalties, including decisive stops from Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmatí in the final shootout to secure England’s second consecutive European crown.
At club level, Hampton’s form was just as remarkable. She won the Golden Glove with 13 clean sheets in the WSL and helped Chelsea complete a domestic treble and finish the league season unbeaten. Her reliability and command under pressure earned her the inaugural Women’s Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony a historic moment for goalkeepers in the women’s game.
As she put it herself: “A nomination for me is a nomination for all goalkeepers the praise we’re finally getting as a union.”
Mariona Caldentey (Spain & Arsenal)
Mariona Caldentey’s move to Arsenal in 2024 was one of the transfers of the season and she delivered immediately.
In her debut campaign, she scored 16 goals and registered seven assists across all competitions, proving crucial to Arsenal’s Champions League triumph and strong WSL finish.
Her composure and experience from years at Barcelona helped Arsenal rediscover their European pedigree, guiding them to their first Champions League title in 18 years.
Internationally, she was a key part of Spain’s run to the Euro 2025 final, where she scored in the match before seeing her penalty saved in the shootout.
Caldentey’s balance of technique, intelligence, and calm in the biggest moments makes her one of the most complete forwards in the game.
Alessia Russo (England & Arsenal)
For Alessia Russo, 2024/25 was a season of finishing power and defining moments.
She finished as the WSL’s top scorer, helped Arsenal to their Champions League title, and was central to England’s success at the European Championships.
Russo scored the equaliser in the Euro 2025 final with a commanding header, and also converted England’s crucial first penalty in the shootout showing composure when it mattered most. She described the summer as “the best four months of my life”, lifting both continental and club trophies.
Russo’s blend of physical presence, intelligent movement, and poise in front of goal makes her the archetype of a modern striker and a strong contender for this year’s title.
Patri Guijarro (Spain & FC Barcelona)
The first female graduate of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Patri Guijarro has built her career on intelligence, balance, and consistency.
In the 2024/25 season, she made 42 appearances for Barcelona, contributing nine goals and three assists while anchoring midfield play in both domestic and European campaigns.
For Spain, Guijarro played a vital role during their Euro 2025 run, logging nearly 600 minutes of tournament time. Her range of passing, positional sense, and work rate have made her indispensable for both club and country.
She reflected on her nomination by saying: “To play for the national team and defend this jersey that’s what every footballer dreams of.”
Her longevity and leadership, both in Barcelona’s midfield and Spain’s golden generation, make her one of the most respected figures in the modern game.
How to Vote
Fans can cast their votes for the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025 on the BBC Sport website or app.
Voting closes at 09:00 GMT on Friday, 31 October 2025, with the winner to be announced in early November.
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