The final stages of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup™ are almost upon us, with Arsenal, ASFAR, Corinthians and Gotham FC set to battle it out across London from 28 January to 1 February.
Ahead of the semi-finals, we’ve picked out eight players to keep your eye on as we prepare to crown a global champion.
Arsenal
Mariona Caldentey
Eyebrows were raised when Spanish FIFA Women’s World Cup™ winner Caldentey swapped all-conquering Barcelona for Arsenal in 2024, but few are left questioning her decision now. The 29-year-old, who has been deployed in a deeper midfield role since her switch to North London, brought the Gunners a stunning blend of creativity and goals as they won the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time in 18 years. She was also named the Women’s Super League (WSL) Player of the Season, and was runner-up for The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award.
Alessia Russo
A powerful forward capable of scoring every type of goal, Russo was on fire last year. She clinched the WSL Golden Boot for 2024/25 with 12 strikes, while helping the Gunners to their European triumph and England to UEFA EURO glory with a goal in the final victory over Spain. She’s continued in the same vein this season, contributing to seven goals in 12 league matches at the time of writing, form which also saw her nominated for The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award 2025.
ASFAR
Anissa Lahmari
Former Paris Saint-Germain star Lahmari has brought composure and elegance to the ASFAR midfield since joining in 2024, with her presence crucial to their 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League triumph. She faced the Gunners twice during her time in the French capital, and will be hell-bent on claiming victory with her current side on their turf.
Sanaa Mssoudy
Blessed with excellent dribbling and spellbinding skill, midfield ace Mssoudy has proved countless times to be ASFAR’s go-to woman. That was best evidenced in the previous round victory over Wuhan Jiangda. With the tie finely balanced at 1-1, Mssoudy ghosted into the area, controlled a long ball and deftly dinked the Moroccans in front in the 104th minute.
Corinthians
Jhonson
Exciting forward Jhonson enjoyed a stellar 2025. After netting the winner on her Brazil debut in a friendly against Japan, she was included in Arthur Elias’ squad as the Seleção lifted the Copa America. She has also starred for Corinthians, netting the decisive penalty against Deportivo Cali in the Copa Libertadores final to qualify the Timão for this event.
Nicole
Like Jhonson, goalkeeper Nicole was crucial during her side’s continental triumph, with the shot-stopper making a series of impressive saves to keep Deportivo Cali out. As well as possessing excellent reflexes, the 25-year-old is quick off her line, comfortable on the ball and infallible in one-on-one situations.
Gotham FC
Esther Gonzalez
The Huescar native scored goals across her homeland and helped Spain to FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ glory, before joining The Bats following that tournament. She’s continued to find the net with regularity in the States, hitting nine league goals in her debut campaign before plundering 13 last time out, as well as the decisive strike in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup final win over Tigres.
Rose Lavelle
Midfield dynamo Lavelle has always been good for a goal, and she has continued that streak since joining Gotham in 2024. The 25-year-old, who netted in USA’s FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final win over the Netherlands in 2019, bagged a career-best seven goals in her debut campaign and followed that up with five last term. She also hit the winner in The Bats’ National Women’s Soccer Leeague (NWSL) championship victory over Washington Spirit, helping her to MVP honours.
