Ranking the Top Most FIFA Female Player of the Year 2001-2023

Introduction:-

The FIFA Female Player of the Year award was an annual award given to the best-performing female football player. It was awarded from 2001 to 2015 by FIFA, the international governing body of football. In 2016, the FIFA Female Player of the Year award was superseded by The Best FIFA Women’s Player award.

The award was voted by national team coaches as well as captains, while media representatives and fans were also invited to cast their votes. It aimed to recognize individual players for their outstanding performance, fair play, and overall contribution to the game.

FIFA FEMALE Player of the Year:

Here is the list of winners of the FIFA Female Player of the Year award from 2001 to 2015:

2001 – Mia Hamm (USA)

In 2001, the first winner was Mia Hamm, a famous American forward. She boosted women’s soccer in the 1990s and scored 158 goals in 275 games for the national team.

2002 – Mirelle van Rijbroek (Netherlands)

Mirelle van Rijbroek, a midfielder from the Netherlands, won in 2002. She was a key part of the Dutch team that won the European Championship that year.

2003 – Birgit Prinz (Germany)

Birgit Prinz, a talented German striker, won the award in 2003 and 2005. She was named FIFA World Player of the Year three times. She scored 128 goals in 214 matches for Germany.

2004 – Hanna Ljungberg (Sweden)

Swedish winger Hanna Ljungberg had a great year in 2004, helping Sweden win the European Championship. She scored 72 goals in 146 games for her country.

2005 – Birgit Prinz (Germany)

Prinz won her second consecutive award in 2005 after being top scorer at the European Championship. She was also voted into the FIFA 100 list of greatest living players.

2006 – Marta (Brazil)

Brazilian star Marta began her reign as the best female player in the world with this award in 2006. She would go on to win five FIFA World Player of the Year awards in her career.

2007 – Marta (Brazil)

Marta kept her title in 2007 after leading Brazil to the World Cup final. She scored 7 goals in the tournament and won the Golden Ball.

2008 – Marta (Brazil)

Marta won for the third time in 2008, continuing to impress fans and perform on the biggest stages

2009 – Marta (Brazil)

Marta’s incredible four-year run in women’s soccer included a fantastic showing at the 2008 Olympics. Brazil won silver in those Games.

2010 – Marta (Brazil)

In 2010, Marta won an unprecedented fifth award in a row after another amazing season. She’s definitely the best female player of her generation.

2011 – Homare Sawa (Japan)

Japanese legend Homare Sawa led her team to victory in the 2011 World Cup held in Japan. She won the award that year.

2012 – Abby Wambach (USA)

Abby Wambach, a striker from the USA, broke Marta’s streak in 2012. She was the top scorer in the 2012 Olympics with 5 goals. She retired as the US Women’s National Team’s all-time leading scorer with 184 goals.

2013 – Nadine Angerer (Germany)

German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was key to Germany’s victory in the 2013 European Championship. She was the first goalkeeper ever to win this award.

2014 – Nadine Kessler (Germany)

Attacking midfielder Nadine Kessler helped Germany win the World Cup in 2007. She was a big part of Wolfsburg’s team that won three titles in 2014.

2015 – Carli Lloyd (USA)

American midfielder Carli Lloyd had an incredible performance at the 2015 World Cup. She scored three goals in the final and won the Golden Ball.

That’s the list of amazing players who received the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year award from 2001 to 2015. They were some of the best female soccer players ever. In 2016, the award changed names and format. But it still honors the world’s best female player.

The Best FIFA Women’s Player:

In 2016, FIFA rebranded the FIFA Female Player of the Year award to The Best FIFA Female’s Player. It is awarded annually by FIFA to the most outstanding performer in women’s football. The expanded voting process now includes captains and coaches of all women’s national teams worldwide, as well as fans and journalists.

Here are the winners since the rebranding:

2016 – Carli Lloyd (USA)

American midfielder Carli Lloyd became the first player to win both awards, picking up the new Best Player prize in 2016. She was coming off her 2015 World Cup heroics.

2017 – Lieke Martens (Netherlands)

Dutch winger Lieke Martens starred while helping the Netherlands win Euro 2017 as tournament hosts. She also helped Barcelona win the league and cup double in Spain.

2018 – Marta (Brazil)

Marta won her sixth overall best player award in 2018, re-establishing herself as the greatest ever after missing out from 2012-2016. She led Brazil to Copa America success in 2018.

2019 – Megan Rapinoe (USA)

American winger Megan Rapinoe had a massive 2019, winning the Golden Boot and Golden Ball at the World Cup as the US defended their title. This individual recognition was deserved.

2020 – Lucy Bronze (England)

English right-back Lucy Bronze became the first British player to win the award following an excellent 2019-2020 with Lyon, in which she won the Champions League, league and cup treble.

2021 – Alexia Putellas (Spain)

Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas guided Barcelona to a treble in 2021, also winning the UEFA Player of the Year. Her creativity elevated both club and country.

2022 – Alexia Putellas (Spain)

Putellas retained her crown in 2022 after continuing her phenomenal form. She won the league with Barcelona and was top scorer, but missed the Euros through injury.

Conclusion:

In its reformatted state from 2016 onwards, the Best FIFA Women’s Player award has recognized many of the top international stars in recent years. Alexia Putellas is the only woman to have won it twice.

The FIFA Player of the Year award for women shows how amazing female footballers are. It celebrates the best players in the world and also helps women’s football grow and inspires women in sports.