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Who Is the Best Girl Soccer Player? Top 10 Rising Stars Revealed
When I first started covering women's soccer professionally about eight years ago, I never imagined we'd be having this conversation today. Back then, the discussion about standout female players felt almost theoretical—like we were searching for exceptional talent in a landscape that hadn't yet fully embraced its potential. Fast forward to today, and the transformation has been nothing short of revolutionary. The phrase "But no one could have anticipated the ceiling he gave for the former Staglet" perfectly captures what we're witnessing across women's soccer globally. It's that unexpected, explosive growth trajectory that turns promising athletes into legends, and frankly, it's what makes compiling this list both thrilling and nearly impossible.
Let me start with someone who's completely redefined what it means to be a young talent in this sport: Aitana Bonmatí. At just 25, this Barcelona midfielder has already accumulated 15 major trophies, including the 2023 Ballon d'Or Féminin. What strikes me most about Bonmatí isn't just her technical precision—it's her football intelligence. I've watched her play live three times now, and each time I'm amazed by how she seems to be three moves ahead of everyone else on the pitch. Her vision reminds me of Iniesta in his prime, but with a distinctly modern, attacking flair that's entirely her own. When she received that Ballon d'Or, it wasn't just personal achievement—it symbolized how far women's football has come.
Then there's Salma Paralluelo, whose transition from track and field to football reads like something from a movie script. At 19, she's already scored 11 crucial goals for Barcelona in high-stakes matches. I remember watching her debut for Spain and thinking, "This is different." Her speed isn't just fast—it's explosive, the kind that changes games in seconds. What many don't realize is that she actually held national records in the 400-meter hurdles before fully committing to football. That athletic background gives her an edge that's almost unfair, and I genuinely believe we've only seen about 60% of what she's capable of.
Moving to the English scene, Lauren James at Chelsea has developed into what I'd call a "complete attacker." At 22, she's already notching about 0.78 goals per 90 minutes in the WSL—statistics that would be impressive for veterans, let alone someone her age. What fascinates me about James is her physicality combined with technical grace. Too often we see players excel in one area while being merely adequate in others, but James dominates in multiple dimensions simultaneously. Her performance against Arsenal last season, where she contributed to three goals in 45 minutes, was one of the most dominant individual displays I've seen in years.
Across the Atlantic, Jaedyn Shaw represents the exciting future of American soccer. At just 19, she's already made 14 appearances for the USWNT with a conversion rate hovering around 28%—absolutely remarkable for someone her age. Having followed her since her NWSL debut at 16, what stands out is her fearlessness. While many young players hesitate in crucial moments, Shaw seems to thrive under pressure. Her recent performance in the SheBelieves Cup, where she orchestrated two game-winning plays, demonstrated maturity beyond her years.
In Germany, Jule Brand has become the engine that makes Wolfsburg tick. The 21-year-old has registered 18 assists in the past two Bundesliga seasons while maintaining a 89% passing accuracy in the final third. What I appreciate about Brand is her versatility—she's equally effective as a winger or attacking midfielder. Having spoken with coaches who've worked with her, they consistently mention her tactical discipline, something rare in players with such creative freedom.
The Netherlands' Damaris Egurrola brings a different dimension to the discussion. At 24, she's already captain material for Lyon, completing an astonishing 92% of her passes in the French Division 1 Feminine last season. What makes Egurrola special, in my view, is her leadership quality. I've noticed how she organizes the midfield even without the armband, something that can't be taught. Her 15 interceptions per game average shows she's not just technically gifted but reads the game at an elite level.
Australia's Mary Fowler at Manchester City represents the new generation of technical masters. Though only 21, her first-touch success rate sits at around 85%—higher than many established veterans. Having watched her development closely, I'm convinced Fowler has the potential to become the most technically complete Australian player ever. Her ability to receive the ball in tight spaces reminds me of Dennis Bergkamp, and that's not a comparison I make lightly.
Spain's Athenea del Castillo brings pure electricity to Real Madrid's attack. The 23-year-old completes an average of 4.7 successful dribbles per game with a 68% success rate—numbers that put her in the world-class category for one-on-one situations. What I love about del Castillo is her entertainment value; she plays with a joy that's infectious, something we sometimes lose in overly tactical modern football.
Canada's Olivia Smith at Sporting CP may be the least known on this list at 19, but she's scoring at a rate of one goal every 118 minutes in the Portuguese league. Having tracked her progress since her youth national team days, I'm willing to make what might seem like a bold claim: Smith could become the most complete Canadian attacker since Christine Sinclair. Her combination of physical presence and technical ability is exceptionally rare.
Finally, Sweden's Hanna Bennison at Everton completes my list. The 21-year-old midfielder has developed into a two-way force, winning possession back 8.3 times per game while maintaining creative output. What impresses me most about Bennison is her continuous improvement—each season she adds another dimension to her game. Her recent performances suggest she's developing into the complete modern midfielder.
Looking at these ten remarkable athletes, what strikes me isn't just their individual brilliance but what they represent collectively. We're witnessing a generational shift where technical quality, physical preparation, and tactical understanding have converged to create the most complete female footballers we've ever seen. The ceiling that seemed unimaginable just a decade ago is now being shattered season after season. While rankings will always be subjective, what's undeniable is that we're in a golden era of women's football talent development. These players aren't just rising stars—they're redefining what's possible in the women's game, and frankly, I can't wait to see how high they'll ultimately soar.