Lucy Bronze (Barcelona)
Barcelona and England star Bronze remains one of the best right-backs in world football despite the fact she will turn 33 this year. After helping Barcelona to Champions League glory and starting every game as England reached the World Cup final, the Northumberland born defender has once more cemented her reputation as one of the finest defenders of all-time.
Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich)
Stanway, of Bayern Munich, is one of the best midfielders in the world as her performances over the last 12 months have confirmed. The former Manchester City star was the energetic general in England’s midfield as they reached the World Cup final and remains central to Sarina Wiegman’s squad. Stanway won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in her debut campaign and has recently been handed a new contract.
Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
Bonmati was named Player of the Tournament for Barcelona after winning the Champions League Liga F double and continued this form to be voted Player of the Tournament at the World Cup. She is also UEFA Women’s Player of the Year and the current Women’s Ballon d’Or winner.
Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona)
Paralluelo has enjoyed a sensational year. After joining Barcelona, she bagged herself a Liga F and Champions League double, scoring 14 goals in the process, as well as a hat-trick on her Spain debut. Paralluelo was one of the most exciting players at the World Cup, with the 23-year-old bagging the winner in the quarter-final as well as scoring against Sweden in the semi-final.
Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona)
Rolfo, a Swedish international, helped her country to a third-place finish at the World Cup with several stunning displays down the left-flank, including the opener in the play-off with Australia. She scored the winning goal for Barcelona in the Champions League final and was named Swedish Footballer of the Year in 2023.
Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg)
The Wolfsburg youngster helped Wolfsburg to the German Cup in 2023 and, aged just 22, she already boasts over 100 professional career appearances as well as almost a half-century of international caps for Germany. The midfield maestro is comfortable in all positions across the middle and she is set to join Bayern Munich this summer.
Wendie Renard (Lyon)
Renard, at 33, remains one of the best centre-backs in world football, reflecting her importance to both Lyon and the French national team. France conceded only one goal while Renard was on the pitch at the World Cup, and with over 400 career appearances under her belt, as well as 16 league titles and 8 Champions League victories, she will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the finest women’s players of all-time.
Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg)
The Wolfsburg forward, 27, is a natural goalscorer who has bounced back from injuries in 2023-24 to once more terrorise defences. She was top scorer in the Champions League in 2023 as Wolfsburg reached the final and was named Football Player of the Year in Germany during the same season. Pajor has 59 goals for Poland.
Jenni Hermoso (Tigres Femenil)
The 33-year-old helped Spain to their first ever Women’s World Cup title, scoring three goals along the way. Hermoso, who turns out for Tigres Femenil in Mexico after spending most of her career at Barcelona – alongside spells with Paris Saint Germain and Atletico Madrid – became the symbol of the Spanish national side’s vocal fight against sexism after the World Cup final.
Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon)
The French forward scored 92 goals in six seasons with Paris Saint Germain before leaving for Lyon in 2023 after her contract expired. She has continued her impressive form at her new club, shining especially in the Champions League after notching three goals and three assists at the World Cup, where she helped France to the quarter-finals.