Football General Manager
World-class… It’s an invisible but important tag, one that separates the good from the great. But it’s such a subjective term. Every football fan has their own definition, their own set of criterion, leading to endless but thoroughly enjoyable debates in stadiums, dressing rooms, TV studios, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs all across the world.
So, back in 2023, BALLGM decided to get in on the fun by compiling a very exclusive list of the 25 women’s players that we felt represented the game’s elite, the best of the best, the players that had been producing stellar performances over a sustained period of time.
In order to avoid focusing solely on attackers – which, let’s face it, nearly always happens when it comes to individual awards and accolades – we stipulated that there must be at least three players from each position group (goalkeeper, defence, midfield and attack), and a maximum of nine from each.
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Members are subject to an annual review, and the time has arrived again to decide to gets to stay in the World-Class Club – and who must be politely asked to leave. So, who’s made this year’s 25 strong-list? Find out below, and be sure to express your approval – or outrage – in the comments…
World-class… It’s an invisible but important tag, one that separates the good from the great. But it’s such a subjective term. Every football fan has their own definition, their own set of criterion, leading to endless but thoroughly enjoyable debates in stadiums, dressing rooms, TV studios, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs all across the world.
So, back in 2023, BALLGM decided to get in on the fun by compiling a very exclusive list of the 25 women’s players that we felt represented the game’s elite, the best of the best, the players that had been producing stellar performances over a sustained period of time.
In order to avoid focusing solely on attackers – which, let’s face it, nearly always happens when it comes to individual awards and accolades – we stipulated that there must be at least three players from each position group (goalkeeper, defence, midfield and attack), and a maximum of nine from each.
Members are subject to an annual review, and the time has arrived again to decide to gets to stay in the World-Class Club – and who must be politely asked to leave. So, who’s made this year’s 25 strong-list? Find out below, and be sure to express your approval – or outrage – in the comments…
Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, if not the very best, for at least the last five years, Endler continues to impress as she enters her mid-thirties.
After representing perennial bridesmaids Paris Saint-Germain for three years, a switch to French rivals Lyon in 2021 has given the Chile international a taste of the very biggest matches and she’s regularly delivered in them, especially in the Champions League.
Though still 24 years old, that Hannah Hampton has already become the first-choice goalkeeper at Chelsea and England says a lot about how talented she is and how dependable she has become.
It takes something special to usurp a goalkeeper like Mary Earps for the Lionesses, but Hampton lightning reflexes, great footwork and confident commanding of her area has allowed her to do so – and are all qualities which made her a star of England’s Euro 2025 triumph.
Over the last four years, there’s been no goalkeeper in the NWSL as consistently brilliant as Kailen Sheridan. First with Gotham and now the San Diego Wave, the 30-year-old has not only excelled in every area of her game, but improved, too, to reach new levels.
As such, she’s deservedly become Canada‘s No.1, which is no mean feat given the competition for that spot.
Another young player who has ascended to world-class status already, Selma Bacha continues to be a consistent and game-changing performer for one of the best teams in the world.
Primarily a left-back for Lyon while playing her part in four Champions League triumphs, that the 24-year-old can also excel further forward only adds to her quality. There are few, if any, with a more wicked left foot than the France international.
Starring in the Women’s Super League with Manchester United for three years, Ona Batlle asserted herself firmly into the ‘best right-back in the world’ conversation in her early twenties, and she has only backed it up since moving back to Catalunya.
A product of Barcelona’s youth set-up, her return felt inevitable and it has not disappointed, with the Spain star also thriving on the international stage to underline her world-class status at 26 years old.
Ellie Carpenter has been steadily working her way towards world-class status ever since she broke through as a 15-year-old in Australia. The way she has performed for Lyon over the past two seasons after recovering from a devastating ACL injury has been incredibly admirable, with her hitting an individual level even higher than the consistently top one she was at before.
Now, she’ll hope to bring those qualities to England, having signed for Chelsea.
A new member of the World-Class Club, Emily Fox has been right on the brink of such a status for a couple of years now. The full-back exploded into the NWSL and quickly caught the eye of clubs abroad, with her exposure to different styles at Arsenal only rounding out and refining her game into that of an elite player.
An asset in defence and attack, the consistency the United States international brings to the table is outstanding.
That Naomi Girma joined the World-Class Club off the back of her rookie year in the NWSL says everything you need to know about how quickly she has assimilated into the senior game. The centre-back has shown maturity beyond her years since then, with USWNT boss Emma Hayes declaring her the best defender she’s ever seen.
That’s thanks to her superb passing, great positioning and an ability to intervene at just the right time – all talents that Chelsea fans are getting used to seeing following her arrival back in January.
Alex Greenwood used to be a solid left-back, but she has transformed into a world-class centre-back in the last few years.
That’s been evident in a Manchester City shirt for a while, and now it is starting to become more apparent in England colours, even if the Lionesses’ lack of a left-back prompted the 31-year-old to take one for the team at Euro 2025 in a campaign that highlighted the value of her experience and reading of the game, regardless of position.
Arguably the very best centre-back in women’s football for several years now, Mapi Leon’s technical ability is what most focus on when it comes to discussing her quality, but her defensive nous shouldn’t be overlooked either.
That’s even more impressive given, in some games with Barcelona, she might only be tested once or twice – but she always comes out on top.
There’s not much justification needed for the inclusion of a player who has won the last two Ballons d’Or. Be it for Barcelona or Spain, Aitana Bonmati always delivers when it matters – and not just in an attacking sense.
There is arguably no more well-rounded midfielder in the women’s game, such is her tendency to come up big defensively and desire to contribute at both ends.
There’s an argument that Mariona Caldentey has been world-class for a while now. However, playing in a Barcelona team packed with stars of the same ilk, sometimes it could be hard for her to stand out.
Since moving to Arsenal last summer, that’s not been an issue. The Spain international has proven herself as an incredible game-changer while also demonstrating off-ball qualities that make her case to join this club even more compelling.
Grace Geyoro is just one of those players who oozes class. The France international rarely looks rushed in possession, she so often makes good decisions and she contributes brilliantly on both sides of the ball.
Captain at PSG for several years now, and consistently one of their very best players, the 28-year-old’s leadership is another element of her game that only adds to her wonderful calibre.
Anybody who has played with Patri Guijarro understands that the Spain star is one of the most intelligent footballers in the game.
As a holding midfielder, earning widespread plaudits is always tricky, but that she is trusted to play that position in Barcelona’s all-conquering team speaks volumes of her skill as, given the incredible brand of football the Catalans’ play, there is arguably no more difficult role to fill.
It’s been a year since Lena Oberdorf was last in action, owing to a cruel ACL injury that she suffered just before the 2024 Olympics. It seems, though, that she will be ready to return and finally make her Bayern Munich debut when the new season comes around, meaning the Germany star will be able to remind everyone just what makes her world-class.
Having settled into a holding midfield role in recent years, the 23-year-old has made it her own and excelled in there on the biggest stages, under the highest of pressure.
If anyone doubted Alexia Putellas’ ability to return to her Ballon d’Or-winning form after a difficult time with injuries, she has answered them with aplomb. In fact, there is an argument that the midfielder is now playing at an even higher level than ever before.
After showing glimpses of her ridiculous talent the year prior, Putellas’ injury-free 2024-25 season was perhaps her best yet and could lead to a third Golden Ball in a few weeks’ time.
Many already believed that Keira Walsh was a world-class talent before she joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 – and those that didn’t think as much then, surely do now.
The England midfielder unsurprisingly got even better while playing for the Catalans, fine-tuning her game to become a key member of the most technically gifted club side in the sport, before returning to Chelsea to show everyone just what she learned.
Until her move to the Orlando Pride, Barbra Banda was something of a luxury for women’s football fans. She’d light up major tournaments with Zambia, then return to the low-profile Chinese Women’s Super League until the next big event.
However, the striker’s presence in the U.S. top-flight means her quality is now on show to a huge audience every week, and what she exhibits for club, as well as country, has confirmed that she is world-class.
There are not many more electric, dynamic and productive forwards than Kadidiatou Diani. Whether it’s her ability to beat a full-back and deliver perfect service to the striker, be on the receiving end of a ball in behind and be the goal threat herself, or deputise as the focal point of an attack in a clinical way, the Lyon forward really can do it all – and has been doing for several years now.
Consistently one of the most outstanding wingers in the women’s game for so many years now, Caroline Graham Hansen finally got some long overdue individual recognition last year when she finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting.
That spotlight is not what she is after, though, as team success is paramount for Barcelona’s tricky forward, whose value is well-known among team-mates.
There are not many players in the world who can change a game at the very highest level quite as effectively and devastatingly as Pernille Harder.
The Bayern Munich forward brings dynamism, goal-scoring prowess and creativity to a variety of different attacking roles and is also a remarkable leader, with it no coincidence that she has won a league title in each of the last 10 years.
It’s not been easy on the injury front for Vivianne Miedema of late, but when she does get on the pitch, she shows that such setbacks have not impacted her status as a world-class talent.
The Manchester City star is cold as ice in front of goal, with no man or woman having scored more for the Dutch national teams, and she is also a genius when it comes to creating for others.
It was no surprise when Barcelona paid a whopping fee to bring Ewa Pajor to the club last year. She marked herself out as a world-class centre-forward during a nine-year stint with Wolfsburg, and a goal-getter is exactly what the Catalans needed to round out their team.
With a return of 44 goals and 14 assists in her first season, she’s settled in brilliantly and is showcasing her qualities to a new audience.
In the last six seasons, with Bordeaux and now Manchester City, Khadija Shaw has started 92 league matches and scored 94 goals. Those are world-class numbers.
The 28-year-old is an incredibly clinical goal-scorer but, again, that’s not the only element to her game; Shaw’s defending from the front sets the tone and showcases the hard-working attitude that makes the Jamaican such a top quality team-mate.
Another world-class goal-scorer whose ability to create for others can go under the radar, Sophia Wilson – nee Smith – already boasts a trophy cabinet featuring MVP and Golden Boot awards from the NWSL, as well as every domestic honour on offer in the United States, despite only being 24.
After announcing her pregnancy in March, she is set for a little break from the sport for now, but few would bet against the Portland Thorns star picking up where she left off when she returns.
After losing her spot as England No.1 and enduring some ups and downs in her first year at PSG, Mary Earps falls back outside of the world-class category for now. In Germany, Alex Popp’s career is winding down and she isn’t returning goals at the remarkable rates she once was, while it’s hard to keep Chelsea goal-getter Sam Kerr in the club given it is over 18 months since she was last in action. That can certainly change once she gets herself fit again, of course.
Finally, performances in recent months suggest time is catching up with Irene Paredes. The Barcelona and Spain star is still a top-level centre-back at 34 years old, but not to the degree that she can keep her place in the World-Class Club while there are so many stars on the rise.
