Kirby is one of the world's most exciting forwards and capped the 2021-22 season by winning the domestic league and cup double with Chelsea, but the year has not been without its challenges. Position: Forward She is an aggressive defender who plays on the front foot, leaping forward at any chance to intercept passes and pressure attackers. There's no rest for the 30-year-old, who has logged a total of 5,226 minutes over the course of an international career that has seen her capped 119 times, sixth most in Brazil's history. Position: Forward Mead can play in any of the front three positions and is as equally adept from long distance as she is in the six-yard box. -- Julien Laurens, Country: Canada Position: Forward Age: 27
2021 Rank: Not ranked. 2021 Rank: Not ranked. She has this ability to pluck out teammates with perfectly weighted, bisecting crosses while she also causes defenses to backpedal with her mazy runs that usually end up with an unstoppable shot to the far post. They set the game's attendance record, drawing 91,648 to the Camp Nou for a European tie against Wolfsburg. Club: Portland Thorns
Position: Midfielder -- Caitlin Murray. Australian forward Sam Kerr is rated 91, while six players received a 90 rating, including US trio Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan. Eriksson's task this summer is to take Sweden, who have won back-to-back Olympic silver medals, all the way to the Euro title. As a result, mixed teams of female and male players will be available for the first time ever. Club: Kansas City Current Age: 20 Age: 31 Age: 39 Part of this involves using cookies to collect anonymous data for statistics and personalization. Age: 26 10 than a No. Position: Midfielder I have not played FIFA for 15 years. Age: 35 She can twist her way out of anything and her link-up play with fellow midfielders Putellas and Guijarro is perhaps the best thing about this Barca side when they are on song. -- Sjors Grol, Country: Canada Club: OL Reign 2021 Rank: 30, Endler was unparalleled between the posts during the Champions League this season, as her side romped to the title with a 3-1 win over Barcelona in the final. Age: 27 One interesting development came at the sharp end of the order, where players ranked Nos. 2021 Rank: 17. Club: Chelsea Position: Forward -- Cristina Alexander, Country: England It has added another dimension to Barca's game to have the Sweden international surging down the wing, allowing the forward ahead of her to occupy the half space inside and creating all sorts of problems for opponents. Position: Defender Her best stats are: Ball Control: 91, Reactions: 91, Att. With her ACL recovery hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the attacker was dealt another blow when she fractured her tibia not long after returning to training. Her workrates are High / Medium. -- Connor O'Halloran, Country: United States She not only leads Barca on the pitch but is also the image of the team off it. Lyon won that, too. Position: Defender - 2021 Rank: 2. She has grown with Barcelona throughout the past decade, helping them win another three trophies this season -- the Champions League defeat to Lyon will fuel her to go one better again next season -- and appearing in all the big moments. Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas had a hilarious response after she discovered she was not included in the top 22 female footballers on FIFA 22. Club: Paris Saint-Germain Age: 30 The hamstring issue that set in in March prevented her from being decisive again in the Champions League final. She was also inducted into Italy's football hall of fame at the end of this season for her pioneering role leading women's football in the country. This spring, we polled 26 of the brightest minds in women's soccer -- from coaches to executives to journalists -- about their standout performers across the 2021-22 season, and we arrived at the definitive ranking of the top 50 women's players in 2022. That's because in England's WSL she was often played out of her best, central position. "Lauren is a top player, she knows she's taken her game to really high levels," said Man City manager Gareth Taylor in April. In addition to having a goal-scoring record that almost no one on this earth can come close to, she could also be more selfish, as she averages an assist every two games.
At 31, she is not showing any signs of decline, and the charismatic leader and captain now wants a first trophy with Les Bleues at the Euros. Unfortunately for the Blaugrana, it won't remembered fondly in the Catalan capital. 2021 Rank: 12. She left Manchester City shortly after last year's list was announced to head stateside for OL Reign, where coach Laura Harvey has been giving her the freedom to find and impact the game. -- Caitlin Murray, Country: Spain The Spain striker, who has evolved into more of a No. For the U.S. she's also found her breakthrough, leading the generational shift that saw the USWNT win the SheBelieves Cup. The Far Post Podcast team says Sam Kerr's amazing season was enough to earn top spot in the ESPN FC Women's Rank. Club: Lyon -- Cristina Alexander, Country: France -- Cristina Alexander, Country: Australia Hemp will be one of the stars of the Euros this summer.
But since arriving in France in January, she's often been the glue to keep the midfield intact so Lyon's other star players can go for it. The news that Ji was leaving Chelsea to return home was met with disappointment from fans across the Women's Super League. Position: Forward Club: Paris Saint-Germain Crowned best player in the world in 2017 after a fabulous European Championship, Martens is keen on another continental crown this summer at the Euros, not least because a new season and new team await her with a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain completed. She set up 13 goals in the Primera Division, more than anyone else, and another four in Europe. She replied to the EA Sports FIFA Twitter account with the comment: To all of you who mention me Its normal!!! Kirby has been sidelined since February with fatigue, but installing an oxygen tank in her house helped her recovery and she has been named in England's squad for this summer's home Euros and will be one of their key players as they look to secure a home triumph. The one-touch passing, positioning and movement have bamboozled some of the best teams in the game this season, including Arsenal and Wolfsburg. Age: 31 She has been at Barcelona for five years now and has played an important role in three successive league titles while also helping the Blaugrana reach back-to-back Champions League finals. Unfortunately, Paredes picked the Champions League final to have a rare off day in what was otherwise an impeccable first season in Catalonia. Scoring 15 goals in 16 games suggests that the 32-year-old is feeling at home with her California crew. Club: Barcelona The Swedish striker has since formed a seamless partnership with Vivianne Miedema up front to establish themselves as one of the most ruthless duos in world club football. Position: Midfielder 2021 Rank: Not ranked, Despite her lengthy injury history, she is still ranked third in all-time appearances for Juventus, her commitment to the club earning her a new contract in May. Age: 29 Club: Pachuca 2021 Rank: 28, If not for a series of injuries, Martens was on her way to another silverware-laden season. Women's Euro 2022 quarterfinal preview: Who will make the final four? She has helped Chelsea to each of their 11 major trophies during the WSL era, and while Erin Cuthbert is seen as a worthy future to their midfield, it's hard to see how they won't miss Ji this coming season. Despite being named UEFA Womens Player of the Year last month, Putellas was not included in the top 22 female footballers on FIFA 22. A good defender can't be understated, especially now when the focus is so often on midfield maestros and goal tallies, and that's exactly what Buchanan is. With four goals and three assists from 16 appearances, the Matildas forward made sure she couldn't be ignored. Age: 30 Age: 27 2021 Rank: 15. She has proved one of the signings of the season. 0. And they treated us to one of the most entertaining and unpredictable Champions League finals you'll ever see. Age: 22 2021 Rank: 19. -- Lindsay du Plessis, Country: France In what was a strong NWSL campaign, her 2021 MVP award was a testament to her work in the season as well as a nod to nearly 10 years of highlights. Currently, Alexia Putellas is playing with number 14. Make Your Picks. Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas had a hilarious response after she discovered she was not included in the top 22 female footballers on FIFA 22. Position: Midfielder Club: Barcelona Club: Chelsea Age: 25 Club: San Diego Wave -- Sam Marsden. Ideally suited to playing off the left wing, you can imagine her causing all sorts of difficulty for the opponent's right-back as she weaves her way through the defense. Well, it was Bright who stepped forward, guiding Chelsea to an impressive winning streak and a third consecutive Women's Super League (WSL) title. Man United's Maguire is Ten Hag's first choice, but can he earn redemption in 2022-23? Position: Defender The 2021-22 season was one of great personal success sprinkled with team success. All Rights Reserved. -- Sam Marsden, Country: France Country: Brazil For a classic Hemp moment, look no further than the goal she scored in the FA Cup final in May. Club: Lyon -- Lindsay du Plessis, Country: Scotland ,14 minutes ago Who was going to lead this dynasty in the interim? Lavelle has slipped four spots from last year's list, but she is arguably playing better soccer now. 2021 Rank: 21, Cascarino has dropped 20 places from last year's rankings, but that is possibly more a representation of how good she was in 2020 than a comment on her performances this year. and Lavelle will probably go down in U.S. women's national team history as one of the most creative No. When Hegerberg ruptured her ACL in January 2020, no one could have expected that it would be the start of a 21-month absence from the sport for one of the undisputed stars of the game. ,12 minutes ago Without further ado: These are the 50 best players in women's soccer today. Position: Midfielder Once she returns to fitness, though, her extensive experience -- 92 games in the NWSL and 21 goals -- will go a long way to lifting the Current from their position near the bottom of the table. Does England's Euro 2022 squad have a diversity issue? Which womens club teams have been confirmed for FIFA 23 so far? 2022 Sports New Media Limited. The 27-year-old was a key part of the Barcelona side which won a historic treble last season, helping her team to Primera Divisin, Copa de la Reina and Womens Champions League titles. She has overcome an immense amount of adversity in her life, which is to her eternal credit, and that fire helps her continue to push standards on and off the pitch. However, after scoring 37 times in those two competitions last season, it felt like a step back for Barca's record goal scorer. Club: Wolfsburg Age: 28 And 2022 stands to get better. Age: 32 While her production was down on last season's efforts, her influence was undeniable. 1 and three in the top 10. 2021 Rank: Not ranked, Dabritz will play for European champions Lyon next season after moving from Paris Saint-Germain, where she had played since 2019. The two-time Women's Champions League winner will be looking to return to her best for the World Cup on home soil in 2023. Cookies Policy Overlooked at times for just how good she is, she has given Chelsea eight of her best years.
2021 Rank: Not ranked. 2021 Rank: Not ranked. She has this ability to pluck out teammates with perfectly weighted, bisecting crosses while she also causes defenses to backpedal with her mazy runs that usually end up with an unstoppable shot to the far post. They set the game's attendance record, drawing 91,648 to the Camp Nou for a European tie against Wolfsburg. Club: Portland Thorns
Position: Midfielder -- Caitlin Murray. Australian forward Sam Kerr is rated 91, while six players received a 90 rating, including US trio Tobin Heath, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan. Eriksson's task this summer is to take Sweden, who have won back-to-back Olympic silver medals, all the way to the Euro title. As a result, mixed teams of female and male players will be available for the first time ever. Club: Kansas City Current Age: 20 Age: 31 Age: 39 Part of this involves using cookies to collect anonymous data for statistics and personalization. Age: 26 10 than a No. Position: Midfielder I have not played FIFA for 15 years. Age: 35 She can twist her way out of anything and her link-up play with fellow midfielders Putellas and Guijarro is perhaps the best thing about this Barca side when they are on song. -- Sjors Grol, Country: Canada Club: OL Reign 2021 Rank: 30, Endler was unparalleled between the posts during the Champions League this season, as her side romped to the title with a 3-1 win over Barcelona in the final. Age: 27 One interesting development came at the sharp end of the order, where players ranked Nos. 2021 Rank: 17. Club: Chelsea Position: Forward -- Cristina Alexander, Country: England It has added another dimension to Barca's game to have the Sweden international surging down the wing, allowing the forward ahead of her to occupy the half space inside and creating all sorts of problems for opponents. Position: Defender Her best stats are: Ball Control: 91, Reactions: 91, Att. With her ACL recovery hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the attacker was dealt another blow when she fractured her tibia not long after returning to training. Her workrates are High / Medium. -- Connor O'Halloran, Country: United States She not only leads Barca on the pitch but is also the image of the team off it. Lyon won that, too. Position: Defender - 2021 Rank: 2. She has grown with Barcelona throughout the past decade, helping them win another three trophies this season -- the Champions League defeat to Lyon will fuel her to go one better again next season -- and appearing in all the big moments. Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas had a hilarious response after she discovered she was not included in the top 22 female footballers on FIFA 22. Club: Paris Saint-Germain Age: 30 The hamstring issue that set in in March prevented her from being decisive again in the Champions League final. She was also inducted into Italy's football hall of fame at the end of this season for her pioneering role leading women's football in the country. This spring, we polled 26 of the brightest minds in women's soccer -- from coaches to executives to journalists -- about their standout performers across the 2021-22 season, and we arrived at the definitive ranking of the top 50 women's players in 2022. That's because in England's WSL she was often played out of her best, central position. "Lauren is a top player, she knows she's taken her game to really high levels," said Man City manager Gareth Taylor in April. In addition to having a goal-scoring record that almost no one on this earth can come close to, she could also be more selfish, as she averages an assist every two games.
At 31, she is not showing any signs of decline, and the charismatic leader and captain now wants a first trophy with Les Bleues at the Euros. Unfortunately for the Blaugrana, it won't remembered fondly in the Catalan capital. 2021 Rank: 12. She left Manchester City shortly after last year's list was announced to head stateside for OL Reign, where coach Laura Harvey has been giving her the freedom to find and impact the game. -- Caitlin Murray, Country: Spain The Spain striker, who has evolved into more of a No. For the U.S. she's also found her breakthrough, leading the generational shift that saw the USWNT win the SheBelieves Cup. The Far Post Podcast team says Sam Kerr's amazing season was enough to earn top spot in the ESPN FC Women's Rank. Club: Lyon -- Cristina Alexander, Country: France -- Cristina Alexander, Country: Australia Hemp will be one of the stars of the Euros this summer.
But since arriving in France in January, she's often been the glue to keep the midfield intact so Lyon's other star players can go for it. The news that Ji was leaving Chelsea to return home was met with disappointment from fans across the Women's Super League. Position: Forward Club: Paris Saint-Germain Crowned best player in the world in 2017 after a fabulous European Championship, Martens is keen on another continental crown this summer at the Euros, not least because a new season and new team await her with a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain completed. She set up 13 goals in the Primera Division, more than anyone else, and another four in Europe. She replied to the EA Sports FIFA Twitter account with the comment: To all of you who mention me Its normal!!! Kirby has been sidelined since February with fatigue, but installing an oxygen tank in her house helped her recovery and she has been named in England's squad for this summer's home Euros and will be one of their key players as they look to secure a home triumph. The one-touch passing, positioning and movement have bamboozled some of the best teams in the game this season, including Arsenal and Wolfsburg. Age: 31 She has been at Barcelona for five years now and has played an important role in three successive league titles while also helping the Blaugrana reach back-to-back Champions League finals. Unfortunately, Paredes picked the Champions League final to have a rare off day in what was otherwise an impeccable first season in Catalonia. Scoring 15 goals in 16 games suggests that the 32-year-old is feeling at home with her California crew. Club: Barcelona The Swedish striker has since formed a seamless partnership with Vivianne Miedema up front to establish themselves as one of the most ruthless duos in world club football. Position: Midfielder 2021 Rank: Not ranked, Despite her lengthy injury history, she is still ranked third in all-time appearances for Juventus, her commitment to the club earning her a new contract in May. Age: 29 Club: Pachuca 2021 Rank: 28, If not for a series of injuries, Martens was on her way to another silverware-laden season. Women's Euro 2022 quarterfinal preview: Who will make the final four? She has helped Chelsea to each of their 11 major trophies during the WSL era, and while Erin Cuthbert is seen as a worthy future to their midfield, it's hard to see how they won't miss Ji this coming season. Despite being named UEFA Womens Player of the Year last month, Putellas was not included in the top 22 female footballers on FIFA 22. A good defender can't be understated, especially now when the focus is so often on midfield maestros and goal tallies, and that's exactly what Buchanan is. With four goals and three assists from 16 appearances, the Matildas forward made sure she couldn't be ignored. Age: 30 Age: 27 2021 Rank: 15. She has proved one of the signings of the season. 0. And they treated us to one of the most entertaining and unpredictable Champions League finals you'll ever see. Age: 22 2021 Rank: 19. -- Lindsay du Plessis, Country: France In what was a strong NWSL campaign, her 2021 MVP award was a testament to her work in the season as well as a nod to nearly 10 years of highlights. Currently, Alexia Putellas is playing with number 14. Make Your Picks. Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas had a hilarious response after she discovered she was not included in the top 22 female footballers on FIFA 22. Position: Midfielder Club: Barcelona Club: Chelsea Age: 25 Club: San Diego Wave -- Sam Marsden. Ideally suited to playing off the left wing, you can imagine her causing all sorts of difficulty for the opponent's right-back as she weaves her way through the defense. Well, it was Bright who stepped forward, guiding Chelsea to an impressive winning streak and a third consecutive Women's Super League (WSL) title. Man United's Maguire is Ten Hag's first choice, but can he earn redemption in 2022-23? Position: Defender The 2021-22 season was one of great personal success sprinkled with team success. All Rights Reserved. -- Sam Marsden, Country: France Country: Brazil For a classic Hemp moment, look no further than the goal she scored in the FA Cup final in May. Club: Lyon -- Lindsay du Plessis, Country: Scotland ,14 minutes ago Who was going to lead this dynasty in the interim? Lavelle has slipped four spots from last year's list, but she is arguably playing better soccer now. 2021 Rank: 21, Cascarino has dropped 20 places from last year's rankings, but that is possibly more a representation of how good she was in 2020 than a comment on her performances this year. and Lavelle will probably go down in U.S. women's national team history as one of the most creative No. When Hegerberg ruptured her ACL in January 2020, no one could have expected that it would be the start of a 21-month absence from the sport for one of the undisputed stars of the game. ,12 minutes ago Without further ado: These are the 50 best players in women's soccer today. Position: Midfielder Once she returns to fitness, though, her extensive experience -- 92 games in the NWSL and 21 goals -- will go a long way to lifting the Current from their position near the bottom of the table. Does England's Euro 2022 squad have a diversity issue? Which womens club teams have been confirmed for FIFA 23 so far? 2022 Sports New Media Limited. The 27-year-old was a key part of the Barcelona side which won a historic treble last season, helping her team to Primera Divisin, Copa de la Reina and Womens Champions League titles. She has overcome an immense amount of adversity in her life, which is to her eternal credit, and that fire helps her continue to push standards on and off the pitch. However, after scoring 37 times in those two competitions last season, it felt like a step back for Barca's record goal scorer. Club: Wolfsburg Age: 28 And 2022 stands to get better. Age: 32 While her production was down on last season's efforts, her influence was undeniable. 1 and three in the top 10. 2021 Rank: Not ranked, Dabritz will play for European champions Lyon next season after moving from Paris Saint-Germain, where she had played since 2019. The two-time Women's Champions League winner will be looking to return to her best for the World Cup on home soil in 2023. Cookies Policy Overlooked at times for just how good she is, she has given Chelsea eight of her best years.