The Best FIFA Women’s Player: Nominees in focus

2025-12-16

Sandy Baltimore

The Colombes native, operating at full-back and on the wing, enjoyed a spectacular first season at Chelsea. Baltimore scored two and set up another in a 3-0 win over Manchester United that helped complete a domestic treble. She was also named in the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League Team of the Season, and struck seven goals in 14 outings for France.

Nathalie Bjorn

Several stars sizzled as Chelsea clinched a treble, but it was the pride of Uppsala who was named their Players’ Player of the Year. Bjorn’s impassability and elegance were central to the Blues winning 27 and drawing three of their 30 domestic games, while she was also outstanding as Sweden topped a group containing Germany at the UEFA Women’s EURO.

Aitana Bonmati

The video-game-like midfielder is in the running to seize The Best FIFA Women’s Player for an outright-record third year in succession. Despite Barcelona and Spain finishing runners-up in the Champions League and EURO respectively, Bonmati claimed both those competitions’ MVP awards. The No14 also excelled as Barça conquered a domestic treble.

Lucy Bronze

The right-back performed a fundamental function in England’s EURO triumph – and astonishingly did so playing through the pain of a fractured tibia. “Bronze is just one of a kind,” said coach Sarina Wiegman. “I have never ever seen anything like this before in my life.” Bronze was also brilliant as new club Chelsea conquered a domestic treble.

Mariona Caldentey

The midfielder’s first season at the Emirates was a fairy tale. Caldentey scored the Goal of the Tournament in the Champions League semi-finals, and then helped Arsenal stun her former Barcelona in the final. Furthermore, she was crowned the Women’s Super League Player of the Season and scored Spain’s goal in the EURO final, which they lost on penalties to England.

Temwa Chawinga

The Malawian finished 2024 having broken several NWSL records, among them Sam Kerr’s for the most goals in a single season. She also scored twice as Kansas City Current won the the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup final. Chawinga has carried on where she left off this term, reaching 25 regular-season goals in six fewer appearances than any player in the tournament’s history.

Kadidiatou Diani

The Ivry-sur-Seine native was at her swashbuckling best as Lyon sunk her former employers Paris Saint-Germain to conquer the Premiere Ligue in May, and netted six goals in 10 games in the Champions League. Diani also scored one and set up another as France defeated Wales in the continental finals.

Melchie Dumornay

Boasting elite trickery, pace and finishing, the Haitian was in electrifying form in 2024/25. She registered 22 goals in 28 games from midfield for Lyon, and four in seven for Haiti. Dumornay also made it back-to-back Champions League Young Player of the Season prizes, and was included in the competition’s Team of the Season.

Patri Guijarro

The midfielder’s performances deserved more than runners-up finishes in the Champions League and EURO, though her exploits at least earned her Team of the Tournament inclusion in both. Guijarro enjoyed a trophy-laden season in Spain, helping Barcelona do the domestic treble.

Lindsey Heaps

The legendary midfielder turned in another admirable campaign. She contributed 20 combined goals and assists in only 17 appearances in the Premiere Ligue, making its Team of the Season and helping Lyon emerge triumphant. Heaps also dazzled for USA with her leadership and creativity, and was on target against Iceland, Brazil and China PR.

Lauren James

Injuries did disrupt the rapid attacker’s season, but they couldn’t stop her dazzling. James produced decisive displays as Chelsea beat Arsenal and Manchester City en route to a domestic treble. The Londoner also netted a double against the Netherlands at the EURO, and helped England overcome Spain in the decider.

Chloe Kelly

The forward made up for a forgettable first half of 2024/25 with a tremendous second. Kelly helped Arsenal conquer the Champions League, and then stepped up when England needed her at the EURO, scoring a penalty in the shootout win over Sweden in the quarter-finals, the winner against Italy in the semis and the clinching spot-kick against Spain in the decider.

Ewa Pajor

The Pole’s unshakable prolificacy continued in new colours. Pajor, indeed, hit 43 goals in 46 games for Barcelona, inspiring them to a domestic treble. The Wolfsburg legend also netted a last-gasp goal in Vienna that clinched Poland’s place at a first major tournament, and then propelled them to their first victory at the EURO: 3-2 over Denmark.

Claudia Pina

The Catalonian, with 10 goals in nine outings, clinched the Champions League’s Golden Boot as Barcelona finished runners-up. Pina did pocket three golds domestically in 2024/25, bagging both goals as Barça beat Atlético Madrid 2-0 in the Copa de la Reina final. Pina completed her finest individual campaign with two goals and a silver medal at the EURO.

Alexia Putellas

The Best FIFA Women’s Player for 2021 and 2022 was back to her breathtaking best last season. Putellas set up and scored goals galore for Barcelona, helping them monopolise Spanish football. The midfield sorceress also excelled for La Roja, registering three goals and four assists as they finished second at the EURO.

Alessia Russo

The powerful forward was central to Arsenal reversing first-leg defeats against Real Madrid and Lyon and reaching the Champions League final. Russo then helped the Gunners upset Barcelona for their first continental crown in 18 years. At the EURO, Russo’s header equalised for England in the final, which they went on to win on penalties.

Leah Williamson

The long-serving centre-back was infallible as Arsenal blanked Barcelona to conquer Europe. Williamson celebrated her 50th England cap with a goal against South Africa, before captaining the Lionesses to EURO glory, duly being named in the competition’s Team of the Tournament.

Previous winners

Rules of allocation

Record-breaking prize money to be awarded to FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™ winners

January 24, 2026

Khalifa dream inspiring semi-final stars

November 24, 2025