The Top 10 Female Soccer Players in 2023
1. Kadeisha Buchanan
Kadeisha Buchanan is a center-back who represents both the Canadian national team and Olympique Lyonnais. She was recognized as the Canadian Women's Player of the Year in 2015, 2017, and 2018 for her excellent defensive abilities. Unquestionably one of the best female soccer players of the year is Kadeisha Buchanan. With her team, Olympique Lyonnais, the Canadian centre-back has had an exceptional year, winning Division 1 Féminine. Thus, making the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinals. As one of the most formidable defenders in the world, Buchanan's dominant presence in defence has been essential to Lyon's success this season. She can read the game, make clutch tackles, and win aerial duels.
Buchanan has received numerous honours this year for her work. Aside from that, she received her fourth career win for Canadian Women's Player of the Year. Because of her remarkable work for Lyon, she has also been included on the shortlist for the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award.
Kadeisha Buchanan's successes are attributable to her tenacity, devotion, and love of the sport. Buchanan has distinguished herself as one of the top female soccer players of the year and a significant force in the women's game thanks to her talent, skill, and tenacity:
- Buchanan played for West Virginia University from 2013 to 2016 and was a standout player on their women's soccer team.
- She also helped lead West Virginia to three consecutive Big 12 Conference championships.
- In 2015, Buchanan made her debut for the Canadian women's national team.
- She played a crucial role in Canada's bronze medal-winning performance at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
- she was named to the tournament's Best XI.
2. Norwegian winger - Caroline Graham Hansen
Caroline Graham competes for both FC Barcelona and the Norwegian national team. She won the title of Norwegian Footballer of the Year in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, she played a major role in Norway's victory in the 2019 Women's World Cup silver medal. With FC Barcelona, the Norwegian winger has had an outstanding season, winning the Primera División and making it to the UEFA Women's Champions League final. Due to her speed, dribbling proficiency, and goal-scoring ability, Hansen has become one of the most thrilling players to watch in the world. Her attacking talent has been essential to Barcelona's success this season.
For the fourth time in her career, Hansen was selected the Norwegian Female Footballer of the Year in recognition of her efforts. She also got various other honours this year. She has made the shortlist for the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award because of her outstanding achievements for Barcelona.
- Hansen played for Stabæk Fotball Kvinner from 2010 to 2013 and was a key player on their women's soccer team.
- She helped lead the team to two consecutive Toppserien titles and was named the league's Player of the Year in 2013.
- Hansen joined VfL and won multiple domestic and international titles with the club, including four Frauen-Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Women's Champions League in 2014 and 2018.
- In 2018, she was named the Norwegian Women's Footballer of the Year.
- she was also a finalist for the Ballon d'Or Féminin, which is awarded to the world's best female soccer player.
3. Georgia Stanway
English forward Georgia Stanway competes for both Manchester City and Team England. She made her national team debut in 2018 and won the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award the following year. Without question, Georgia Stanway is among the best female soccer players of the year. With her team, Manchester City, the English midfielder has had a fantastic season, helping them win the Women's Super League and advance to the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinals. Stanway is one of the most talented and focused young players in the world which has been essential to Manchester City's success this season.
Stanway's efforts have not gone unnoticed; this year, she has won multiple awards, including PFA Women's Young Player of the Year. She was selected for the England national team as a result of her outstanding performances for Manchester City, where she has since continued to amaze with her talent and persistence.
- She played a crucial role in England's third-place finish at the 2018 SheBelieves Cup and was named the tournament's Best Young Player.
- Stanway played for Manchester City from 2015 to 2021 and was a key player on their women's soccer team.
- Stanway also competed for England in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, where they advanced to the semifinals.
- She received the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award in 2019 and placed in the top three for the Ballon d'Or Féminin.
4. Débora Cristiane de Oliveira
Brazilian forward Debinha competes for both the North Carolina Courage and Brazil's national team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She was essential to Brazil's silver-medal Olympic victory in 2008. Since then, she has started every game for the national team. Without a doubt, Debinha is among the best female soccer players of the year. The North Carolina Courage's Brazilian forward had a standout season with them, propelling them to reach the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Playoffs semifinals.
One of the most dangerous forwards in the world, Debinha can both create and score goals. She has an offensive skill set, and her finishing is precise, which has been a big part of the North Carolina Courage's success this season. The several prizes Debinha has received this season show that her efforts have not gone unnoticed. This features the first-ever Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot awards in the NWSL. Due to her strong accomplishments for the North Carolina Courage, she was chosen for the Brazil national team. Since then, she has persisted in inspiring people with her talent.
- In 2015, Debinha made her debut for the Brazilian women's national team.
- She played a crucial role in Brazil's fourth-place finish at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro
- She was named to the tournament's Best XI.
- Debinha was also a member of the Brazil team that reached the round of 16 at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- In 2020, she was named the NWSL Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player after leading the North Carolina Courage to the tournament title.
5. Bethany England
English forward Bethany England competes for Chelsea and the England team. She won the PFA Women's Player of the Year award for the same season and led the FA Women's Super League in scoring in the 2019–20 campaign.
The English forward had a standout season with her team, Chelsea, helping them win the Women's Super League and get to the UEFA Women's Champions League final. She is one of the most dangerous forwards in the world thanks to her ability to score goals from wherever on the pitch. The attacking prowess and deft finishing of England have been crucial to Chelsea's success this season.
Bethany England has garnered various honours this year, including being named the FWA Women's Footballer of the Year for the second time in her career, in recognition of England's outstanding performances this season. She was selected for the England national team as a result of her outstanding performances for Chelsea.
- In 2019, England made her debut for the English women's national team and has since become a regular fixture in the team's attack.
- She was essential to England's progression through the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup to the semifinals.
- England has been recognized as PFA Women's Player of the Year for the 2019–20 season and the 2020 FWA Women's Footballer of the Year.
6. Ashley Lawrence
Full-back Ashley Lawrence represents both the Canadian national team and Paris Saint-Germain. She had a significant role in Canada's victories of the silver medal at the 2019 Women's World Cup. Additionally, she won the bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. The Canadian midfielder has had an exceptional season with her team, Paris Saint-Germain. She helped them finish second in Division 1 Feminine and advance to the semifinals of the UEFA Women's Champions League. One of the most complete midfielders in the game, Lawrence's flexibility and work ethic have been essential to Paris Saint-Germain's success this season. She can contribute both offensively and defensively. Lawrence has garnered a lot of recognition for her efforts this year:
- In 2017, Lawrence made her debut for the Canadian women's national team.
- She played a crucial role in Canada's run to the quarter-finals of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- she was named to the tournament's Best XI.
- Lawrence has also helped lead Canada to multiple CONCACAF Women's Championships in 2018 and 2021.
- In 2020, she was named the Canadian Player of the Year for the first time in her career.
7. Iceland's Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir
Midfielder Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir represents both the Icelandic national team and Olympique Lyonnais. With Lyon, she has amassed a plethora of victories, and in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. Also, she was voted Iceland's Footballer of the Year.
With her team, Lyon, the Icelandic midfielder has had a great season. Helping them win Division 1 Feminine and get to the UEFA Women's Champions League final. The success of Lyon this season has been largely attributed to Gunnarsdóttir's technical proficiency, leadership, and defensive skill. Moreover, her ability to manage the midfield has elevated her to the status of one of the top midfielders in the world.
With multiple awards this year, including being selected the Division 1 Female Player of the Year. Moreover, the Icelandic Footballer of the Year for the sixth time in her career, Gunnarsdóttir's efforts have not gone unnoticed. She was also given a spot in the Icelandic national team as a result of her outstanding performances for Lyon:
- Gunnarsdóttir has also played for the Icelandic women's national team since 2007 and has become one of the team's key players and leaders.
- She played a crucial role in Iceland's historic qualification for the 2013 UEFA Women's Euro, their first major tournament.
- In 2016, Gunnarsdóttir was named the Icelandic Women's Footballer of the Year for the fifth consecutive year, and in 2020.
- She was named the Icelandic Sportsperson of the Year.
8. Janine Beckie
Forward Janine Beckie represents both Canada's national team and Manchester City. She was a significant contributor to Canada's bronze-medal performance. At the 2016 Olympics and has since established herself as a dependable starter for the national squad. With her team, Manchester City, the Canadian forward has had a fantastic season, helping them win the FA Women's Cup and advance to the Women's Super League playoffs. Her ability to open up scoring chances for herself and her teammates has been a key factor in Manchester City's success this season. This year, Beckie has garnered various honours in recognition of her efforts:
- In 2015, Beckie was drafted by the Houston Dash in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and has since become one of the team's key players.
- She has also played for the Canadian women's national team since 2014.
- Beckie played a crucial role in Canada's run to the quarter-finals of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- She has helped lead the team to multiple CONCACAF Women's Championship titles, including in 2018 and 2021.
- In 2018, she scored the fastest goal in the history of the NWSL, scoring just 33 seconds into a game against the Washington Spirit.
9. Fran Kirby
England's forward Fran Kirby competes for Chelsea and the England squad. She has multiple championships to her record with Chelsea. In 2018 she was voted PFA Women's Player of the Year. In addition to helping Chelsea win the Women's Super League and advance to the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinals. The English forward has had an excellent season with her team. Kirby is one of the most dangerous forwards in the world. Due to her ability to generate scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.
Kirby's efforts have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the multiple awards she has won this year. This includes PFA Women's Player of the Year and Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. She was selected for the English national team as a result of her outstanding performances for Chelsea. Since then she has continued to wow with her talent and persistence:
- Kirby has played for the English women's national team since 2014.
- She played a crucial role in England's run to the semi-finals of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- She helped lead the team to the final of the UEFA Women's Euro 2017.
- Kirby has been named the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Women's Player of the Year twice, in 2017 and 2018.
- She was also named to the FIFPro Women's World XI in 2017.
- In 2020, she was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of her services to football and her charity work.
10. Christaine Endler-Chilean
Chilean custodian Christiane Endler competes for both Paris Saint-Germain and the Chilean national team. She played a crucial role in Chile's 2019 Women's World Cup qualification. Moreover, since then she has established herself as one of the team's regular starters. Endler, a custodian from Chile, has been causing a stir in the football world with her outstanding on-field achievements. She is the captain of the Chilean national team and presently plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. Endler's abilities are well known:
- Endler has played for the Chilean women's national team since 2008.
- She played a crucial role in Chile's historic debut at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- Endler was named the Best Goalkeeper in the 2018 Copa América Femenina.
- She was also included in the Team of the Tournament.
- She was also named to the FIFPro Women's World XI in 2019 and 2020.
- She was voted the Best Goalkeeper in the French Division 1 Féminine in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.