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10. Patri Guijarro
Born on 17 May 1998 in Spain, Patri plays as a midfielder for FC Barcelona. Slightly elevated by Barcelona after an ACL injury, Patri Guijarro is one of the best passers you will ever see. Whether playing deep or as a number 8, Patri is a standout in a Barcelona team full of stars. On October 4th 2020, Barcelona's Patri Guijarro scored the first ever goal in a women's Clasico.
9. Bunny Shaw
Born on 31 January 1997 in Jamaica, Shaw plays as a forward for Manchester City.
The Bunny Show has pretty much matched its WSL target total compared to last season, and it's only now December. With eight goals, she was top scorer with her Ellen White establishing herself as Man City's top striker following her retirement. Her physical presence on the pitch means her defenders fear her, but her ability to score with both feet as well as winning her headers and conceding goals is also very impressive.
8. Keira Walsh
Keira Fae Walsh was born on 8 April 1997 in England and plays as a midfielder for Barcelona. Keira Walsh, who broke the women's transfer record for Barcelona, let everyone know how good her Euro performance was. However, Walsh's long standing following Manchester City is no surprise given that she has been a reliable player over the years despite being only 25 years old. Her vision on the ball helped England score their first Euro 2022 goal.
7. Caroline Graham Hansen
Graham Hansen was born on 18 February 1995 in Norway and plays as a winger for Spanish Liga F club FC Barcelona. She continues to play at a consistently high level for Barcelona as evidenced by the fact that she scored in the Champions League final from the moment she was released. She may not have made a difference for Norway at the Euros, but she is still one of the most technical players in women's football.
6. Ada Hegerberg
Also known as Martine Stolsmo, Hegerberg was born on 10 July 1995. She is a Norwegian professional footballer and plays as a striker for Féminine club Lyon.
The former Ballon d'Or winner returned to football this year after a two-year hiatus and immediately lifted her Lyon squad. Driven by her desire to prove that women's football could not progress without her, she was indispensable as Lyon won another Champions League title. She has, however, suffered an injury. She has not competed again this season.
5. Aitana Bonmati
Bonmatà has been with Barcelona since 2012, developing through La Masia for six years. Aitana Bonmati may be small in her size, but don't be fooled. She is best in her business at dribbling the ball through tight spaces. Aitana has moved up to 10th in Barcelona and Alexia Putellas is unavailable, allowing her to enter the area more often. Thus, Barcelona have been rewarded. Aytana has already scored 6 goals.
4. Millie Bright
Born on 21 August 1993 in England, Millie is a relentless defender for both Chelsea and England, Millie Bright seems to get better every year. She won the WSL, FA Cup and Euros in 2022 and she played a key role in all matches. She showed comfort at both right and left centre-back and scored another goal to share the Arnold Clarke Cup Golden Boot with Alexia Putellas.
3. Lena Oberdorf.
The only German on this list, Lena Sophie Oberdorf was born on 19 December 2001 and plays as a midfielder for Frauen-Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg. She won the Euro 2022 Young Player of the Tournament award. Physically imposing, she is a skilled tackler who defends the defense energetically from midfield. She gives both Germany and Wolfsburg the freedom to throw her players forward, knowing Oberdorf will hold the fort.
2. Samantha Kerr
Born on 10 September 1993 in Australia. She plays as a forward for Chelsea in the FA Women's Super League.
In 2022, Sam Kerr capped off an amazing season at Chelsea winning his second Golden Boot and taking the team to the WSL and FA Cup. From a last-minute goal against Aston Villa to two spectacular volleys in the final game of the season against Manchester United to an extra-time win over Manchester City at Wembley, Kerr is always helpful for Chelsea. She had a quieter start to the 2022/23 season, but in Sam Kerr's terms, she's still the equivalent of 10 goals in 16 games.
1. Alexia Putellas.
Born on 4 February 1994. Alexia is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Barcelona, which she captains. She previously played for Espanyol and Levante, and has represented Catalonia. Having won all major club and individual awards available to a European player by 2022, Alexia is no worry regarded as the best contemporary female footballer in the world, and one of the greatest of all time. The year may not have ended the way Alexia Putellas dreamed, having lost to Lyon in the Champions League final just days before the start of Euro 2022 due to an ACL injury, but there is no doubt about her incredible prowess. A key figure for Barcelona who never looked so impressive without her, she became the first woman to win back-to-back Ballon d'Or trophies. She has a creative vision that surpasses even the best technical qualities to make it happen.
