Futbol W: Women's Top 50 Ranking

21:07She really learned from the veterans on Portland Thorns before they left the team, like Becky Sauerbrunn, just to name one, Christine Sinclair, another. And she seemed very comfortable with, obviously, low expectations for Portland, but not taking that as sort of the tone that was going to be set for the NWSL season. Are you happy with where she's at here, Natalia, at number 28?

21:35Natalia Astrain:Well, she's another of the players that I really like. I think Sankofi grew a lot in the last years, not only with Portland. I see her more with the national team. We were talking right in Kansas in the first game, and then WSL. Her capability to break lines through pass, playing forward, for me, is outstanding. And the leadership that she provides on the national team is great. great. I think she's a player that is always hungry, willing to do better. And I think US national team missed like a real number six for a long time. And now she's stepping in this role. All the players playing around her.

22:17Natalia Astrain:She's making everybody better. She's able to run, going to one side to other, not only in front of the back line. I think the understanding of the game that she has is really, really good. And she's improving with Portland because they didn't have like a very brilliant season but it's a player that she's growing and she will be better it's a player that I think she want to improve and you can see her always after the games trying to okay what I can do better I think she's like a coach inside the field she's more than a player which is exciting to see and she's so young Ali yeah

22:56Cristina Alexander:She makes, Natalia makes such a good point with the fact that she's a liaison between the players and the coach, right? And she's affecting the play in such a positive way. Carrying this team, like you mentioned, with Christine Sinclair retiring, with Becky Sauerberg retiring, Megan Klingenberg retiring. You know, three of the, you know, mainstays in Portland. That were, you know, big shoes to fill for Sam Coffey to step up in that position. So seeing her thrive. Also, she's a Penn Stater, so I'm a huge fan and support. And, you know, even when I was watching the Penn State games, I knew right away she was different.

23:32Cristina Alexander:She was separating herself from, you know, the rest of the squad and the way that she performed and the way she carried herself and the confidence that she had in her ability to see the game and the way that she did at such an elite level in college. And now bringing that to not only the national team but for club has been really brilliant. And you can only see her growing, like Natalia said, from year to year. I think she's grown tremendously. And I think, you know, there's a lot of credit for Emma Hayes to, you know, help her in that position too. You see that confidence is building and how to get the best out of her and how she's managing her.

24:09Cristina Alexander:And not only to her personality, but to help that come out in the performances, I think has been key. And so I credit that to not only Sam as an individual person and player, but also, you know, her leaders that are surrounding her, which is Emma Hayes and then obviously in Portland. So it's been really great to see her thrive and obviously be one of the best U.S. soccer players this year in the top five. So, yeah, she's growing. She's consistently getting better. And it will continue to improve, I'm sure. Yeah, and it'll be interesting to see our top 20 as well because, I mean, we just talked about Emily Fox in the year that she had.

24:48Sam Coffey as well with the struggle surrounding Portland. But, Natalia, it's kind of tough here not to see an American player in the top 20 because we know that they're also competing with the year that Copa America Femenil just had and, of course, the women's Euros over the summer.

25:05Natalia Astrain:Yeah, I think this is the key of this list, right, that we were looking for more players that play with the countries, with the Europe. and yeah, US national team didn't have like an international competition. Last year in the 24 with the Olympics, everybody was there, more American player. And we hope in the next years, yeah, they can be there. No, I think that this is the difference. For me, this doesn't mean that they are not good, but I think the focus of the people that we are making the decisions are more in this style of player that are having this international competition. But I think that it's important to see Fox Coffee in this number because even that they didn't have this international competition, they performed really well with the teams.

25:53Natalia Astrain:And Fox won the Champions League. And this season, she scored her first goal in the Champions League. I think that she's a player that we will see probably higher next year. Yeah. All right. So this is what we think about the list so far stateside. We're going to toss it to our friends in Europe. Alex Scott is in great company. Take it away. Treat your taste buds to an explosion of flavor with Fruity Rainbow 5-Hour Energy Shots. It's a fruity candy flavor explosion, a zero-sugar treat that's sweet tooth approved. You can take care of those candy cravings and get the caffeine boost you're looking for without the sugar.

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27:55Hello, I'm Alex Scott. Alongside me for this debate, this talk, is Leanne Sanderson, Neda Manua, and Farah. Williams. We've got a vast array of experienced players that have played in the WSL, Nadam. You have been across it from day dot, so you know what we are going to be talking about when we're looking at this list of top 50 players. But I think my first part that I want to get into is when we look at the WSL players that are making a big jump this year from, what, 14 players made the top 20 last year. I think we've gone from 14 to 20 now in this top 50. Why do you think that is, Leanne? I think the more visibility.

28:33I think now everybody's able to make their own opinions on the individual players. You know, television rights, radio rights. People can watch the games before. Back in our day, it was like, you know, one game a year was on the television and people would choose that goal scorer. Whereas now, I think the WSL is progressing. Obviously, I work in the NWSL as well. So, I have that luxury. But I think it's a positive thing, for sure. Nadem?

28:53Gemma Soler:Yeah, I think that is fair. The visibility is key. And I think there's a demand for players to be coming over. I've seen the likes of Caldente and others making their way over to the WSL. I think it's a huge deal. I think when you see some of the fees of players coming over as well, you can show that the league is a serious business. And when you come over, there's not even a guarantee to be successful based on the players that you have. So I think that competition and that drive to essentially try and be the best, for me, it's one of the reasons why it's got some of the best players in it as well.

29:16Do you think also, Farah, there's a draw for players looking at it? And I don't know, like a team like Arsenal that are selling out or filling out the Emirates week on week now. Yeah, exactly. I think our league seems to be a lot more competitive than it has been in recent years. Hence why we can attract so much more higher calibre of players. As you mentioned there, Arsenal are setting the trend again, I guess, with the stadium sellouts. And that's an attraction for any player, certainly in a female game, that haven't been used to that in the past. But I think the success of that as well, Arsenal, Champions League winners.

29:44So it's not a surprise that, you know, there's 20 players from the WSL now when they get to the Champions League final and win it. Against the best team in Europe, in my opinion. And also Chelsea get to the semi-finals. So there are teams in the WSL that are competing on the very top level, which, you know, we draw the best players. And so those players are going to be rated higher depending on how far they go in competition. Leanne, I feel like there's this continued debate comparing the WSL to the NWSL league. Which one's better? I know when we were playing, the draw was, oh, my gosh, if you go and play in America, that is the best league.

30:16But how do you think it's viewed now from Europe looking at that league? Yeah, I mean, I think when you look at the list, that just about speaks true. I still don't think there's enough respect to put on the NWSL's name. Why is that? If you're going to see individuals. I don't know the answer, Al, to be honest. Because when you look at the FIFA's best that come out, there's not one US Women's National Team player in that 11. How can that be? They're the best team in the world. They're ranked number one. So I think the more we talk about it, the more people start to see. Because there are fantastic players in the NWSL.

30:42You know, Temo Schawinger, Barbara Bander, the list could go on. And I think, you know, I get asked this question every single day. Which league is better? And I don't sit on the fence. You know what I'm like, but I wish we could merge the two. So I think the fan experience apart from Arsenal in a WSL is fantastic You look at the other teams I don't think it's the same as a game like San Diego Wave at Snapdragon or in LA, you know, what it's like tailgating The whole fanfare is amazing And I'm looking forward to the Champions Cup because I want to see you know a Gotham playing against an Arsenal in season Not just in preseason on that You know, I'm not played in NWSL So I wouldn't know but from players that I speak to that have had those experiences the leagues are so different and And it's again a style thing isn't it and what your preference is in terms of what you like to watch It's probably a more technical game in the WSL and then I hear it's a transitional game in NWSL I could be wrong, but they're what that's the feedback I've had in the past So all right and also you think of America and the national team players is every four years They get that exposure English players or teams in the English and across Europe And every two years in a tournament euros and World Cup so they get more exposure from that

31:45Gemma Soler:Do you know what I thought as well, not too long ago, I feel like it was quite important for a US women's national team player to be playing in the NWSL. Would you say that's still the case now? It is, but the salary cap is the biggest topic of conversation at this moment in time. You know, the Trinity Rodman stuff going on. There's talk about her coming to Europe. But, like, the NWSL have to change the salary cap because otherwise they will lose all their best players. Elissa Thompson, Naomi Germer, Trinity Rodman might be the next. And I know there's a lot of ongoing conversations about that right now because players don't just go where the money is.

32:12But obviously, as we've seen in the WSL, You know, the facilities are getting better, the training facilities, everything. I mean, I played in America for 15 years. It was the best decision I ever made. But that doesn't mean I loved my time at Arsenal as well. But are you thinking of, like, competitions like the Champions League and the draw of that as well?

32:28Gemma Soler:Yeah, I think that can be motivated. But it just depends on your perspective. Because you could argue that, say, for example, somebody playing in Europe or playing, say, in Spain, for example, their domestic league could be everything to them. So the Champions League itself, although these nights are amazing, you know, and we want to watch and we want to see every part of it. It's not necessarily part of everybody's history, such as everybody's desire to go and do it. I think, as Leon said, people are motivated by different things and different reasons. It's not always about the money. It's not necessarily always about the history of a competition or history of a team in particular.

32:55Gemma Soler:But ultimately, you go to a place where you feel you can play your best football and enjoy your football as well. I do feel, though, that the American players, you know, the whole carrot of the Champions League now is a big teaser for them. They're intrigued by it. We've started to see some of their US national team players now in the WSL. And they'll be sharing those experiences when they go back into camp. And I do think it's a massive carrot. Emma Hayes as well. The best in Europe. Of course, because Emma wants her teams to understand European football, which is a lot different to American football, American soccer, however you want to call it.

33:23But they're so different. And knowing Emma, the way that she likes to play and she likes her players to know the game and be able to, sorry, not manage the game is the wrong word I'm looking for, problem solve and change within game. That's the type of manager I know Emma to be. So the Americans are used to that transition all fast, being fitter than everybody else. The WSL is different to that. Yeah. I will say, though, I think the NWSL is the only league. You know what it's like. You come first. No one really cares. Gotham just won the whole championship and they finished eighth. So, like, I think the consistency throughout the league is more competitive, 100%, because I find in the WSL, it will have to take kind of like a miracle for the bottom team to beat number one, wouldn't it, really?

34:03Yeah. Liverpool to beat, like, a Man City or something. You have to... Happened the other week, where Chelsea lost, but that's the first time it's ever happened in two years.

34:09Gemma Soler:Do you think some of that, though, is to do with the fact that it's one-off? Because, say, Kansas City current were the best side in the league. They were essentially record-breakers, weren't they? When it comes down to one individual game, you know, that's when things can change a little bit. Do you think that would be the case if, say, we brought over that sort of method into WSL? Yes, but I think it would be difficult to bring that to England. I wouldn't like it. I wouldn't like it. Good one, later. You know that was never one. You're thrown out there. We're going to steer away from that one.

34:34actually when you cast your eye over the list that we have in front of us, do you think there's a player on there that should be higher? I think there's many on there, to be honest. But seeing as we're picking one, I have to go with Bunny Shaw. You know, she's 26 on this list. And this is a player that I think doesn't get anywhere near, I don't know what it is about some City players, but they just don't get the recognition they deserve. And for someone like Bunny Shaw, 100 goals, you know, similar to Erling Haaland getting 100 goals the other week as well. Four at the weekend against Aston Villa.

35:03What more can she do? And I feel like she's never really in the running for a Ballon d 'Or or a FIFA's best. It's really strange

35:09Gemma Soler:Yeah, I would agree and I think with Bunny Shaw as well So she was joint top scorer last year, but that doesn't really get spoken about properly and she was top scorer at the year before as well So if you're the top scorer in what we think is one of the best leagues if not the best league in the world How would that put you at say mid 20s on this particular list? Can I throw in on that is that because Manchester City haven't been successful in the WSL and in Europe. And what I'm saying is that the further you go in competitions, the more recognised you get. Right? And I feel like that might be holding her back a little bit.

35:37Because actually in the WSL, you talk about her numbers. They're incredible. They are really incredible. For the amount of games she's played to goal ratio is crazy numbers. But Manchester City don't qualify for the Champions League. There's no exposure there. They don't finish top of the league in the WSL. No exposure there. They haven't won the FA Cup in however many years. So they don't win the FA Cup. And the national team You know the ranking international you don't get that exposure.

35:58Gemma Soler:We put what you say don't get exposure But I think somebody that scores ends up being the first female player to score 100 goals for Man City Like that's a huge So as I said even from the individual standpoint we're talking about somebody who has been top scorer in the division But when you look at the players that are in that top 20 and I looked at and I was like how are these players? Bunny Shaw being one of them. There's a lot on the list and 30 down to 50 right now I'm like how are they not in the top 20 and then you look at 20 up and the players that are in it They've been successful whether it be a club or international.

36:25So how do you argue that these ones below who probably haven't been successful at club or country But it depends on how you measure success, right? They measure trophies most people over the years if we talk about football at the end of the day who are the best in the Premier League? We're going to say Liverpool for last year.

36:39Gemma Soler:Just throw a complete curveball. I know it's a different position. I love it. Delphine Cascarino. Make sure it hits me. Delphine Cascarino's in at number 18. And what's the level of success that you're talking about there? And she's been at San Diego Wave now for a couple of seasons. I didn't see that. She's a top player. Yeah, that's what I mean. Not to point her out. Don't worry, you keep looking at the list. I'm going to help you out. Erin Cuthbert has a... I mean, you talk about Bunny Shaw, but when you talk about Erin Cuthbert at 46, and the success... Take her out of the Chelsea team. They're a completely different team.

37:12And she, being a Scotland international, don't get recognised because of that, I believe. So it's equally...

37:18Gemma Soler:My problem with some of these lists is the fact that... That curveball hit me hard. Yeah, I know. I think the problem with some of these lists is that it's very hard to sort of give someone else credit that they deserve without taking it away from somebody else. You know, in that moment, I mentioned Cascarino. She doesn't deserve that. She doesn't deserve that. But I think for me, Bunny Shaw should be high. I think, Naiden, that is a great point. And as you can see, this is a heated debate. So we're going to take a moment. We're going to cool down. But we are going to be back. Ian Fitzsimmons here.

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39:44Chloe Kelly with England as well. I mean, talk about standout summer that she had. Daphine Cascarino, more NWSL representatives here. Leah Williamson, Sandy Baltimore, Caroline Graham Hansen, who's been great for Barcelona, as has Linda Caicedo, not only for Real Madrid, but also for Colombia. Lucy Bronze, Claudia Pina, the player who does not know how to score an ugly goal, and Melchi Dumont. So let's start with Marta because who else do we need to start with? Natalia, how happy are you to see her here cracking to the top 20?

40:20Natalia Astrain:Well, she's the queen. I think she deserves totally to be there. She arrived to the final to the Copa America. They won. And in addition, Orlando did a really good performance as well this year in the NWSL. We saw her in the quarterfinal running all the field, forcing the PK and giving to Luan and saying, let's go, lady, it's your time. What we can expect more from her. She's humble, she's a good teammate, and in addition, she's one of the best players in the world. Allie?

40:50Cristina Alexander:Yeah, I agree completely. She's had a phenomenal last couple years, which is a resurgence to her game, and it's just credit to the player and person that she is and all the hard work that she puts in. I would see it in real time, and the way that she performs on the training ground is similar to the way and very much the same as how she performs in every single game. So it's really impressive the way she carries herself, and she deserves to be in the top 20 because she's been phenomenal this past year. Yeah, I mean, and that late goal to force extra time as well for Brazil just lives rent-free in my mind.

41:25I remember exactly where I was, what I was doing. It wasn't very exciting. I was folding laundry, but having a ball watching Marta. And also we were watching Linda Caicedo have a great summer there with Colombia. We know it didn't end with that title, but Natalia, she's the highest ranked South American player. What do you make of her making this list so high?

41:47Natalia Astrain:Well, she's the second under 20 best player this year as well. I think she's making a big statement with the Real Madrid as well, not only with Colombia. For me, it's one of the best players, the national team of Colombia, but with the Real Madrid is doing amazing. We saw her the other day, this goal against Wolfsburg, reading, bueno, like a plane. We were talking about planes and she was flying in this area of the field and scoring very sneaky, right? When the defender was going underground, trying to cut the shoot, but she was really sneaky. She's a really intelligent player and she's really young.

42:29Natalia Astrain:I think we will see her year and year in this list.

42:34Cristina Alexander:Yeah, defending her must not be the best time, Ali. No, I mean, just like Natalia said, she's so talented. She's creative. She knows how to score goals and get herself in positions to score goals, just like on that run that we saw from half field or even before half field. It's just incredible to see these young players have just that experience or play with that experience at this level. and she's extremely talented. She's so fun to watch and she's super unpredictable. And I just, I love seeing how well she's doing for both Real Madrid, but also for Colombia and really putting them on the map again.

43:11Yeah, absolutely. As I said, a standout summer for both of these players that we just talked about, but not only with the Copa America, but with the women's Euros. And it's no surprise to see these names on the list with Chloe Kelly, Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze. Natalia, you're not surprised to see them rank this high, are you?

43:31Natalia Astrain:I don't know if I want to talk about them because they won the final against Spain. I don't know if you did this intentionally, Cristina. I always try to be nice with you, but it's okay. Well, no. I'm very happy to see them. Honestly, they deserve that. They did an amazing year, not only with the clubs, in addition with England, right? They won the final. and imagine for me Lucy Bronze that she is still being there it's not like I want to say that she's old but she's a very experienced player and she continues being there and we saw her today as well in the games doing a really good performance.

44:09Natalia Astrain:I think it's a player that yeah persistence and she continues being in the top top top of the list. Yeah Williamson I mean we're talking about injuries with other players this is definitely one who we miss seeing on the field as well Ellie.

44:23Cristina Alexander:Yeah for sure I mean, she's the captain of the national team, but also captain with Arsenal alongside Kim Little. And just the presence, the leadership and the comfortability that the other players feel when she's out there on the field and the confidence that they feel when she's there, you know, leading the charge has been missed, right? And it's just really nice to see that she has made the list because she deserves to be there, like Natalia was mentioning. And also Chloe Kelly, who, you know, had played for Man City, really wasn't getting the minutes that she deserved and wanted. So then she moves to Arsenal, was able to get minutes there, play in the Champions League, and then move on, win that, and then move on to the Euros and win the Euros and have a decisive penalty kick in that match as well.

45:13Cristina Alexander:And so the way that she's been, you know, coming back and really proving herself and why she deserves to be in the top 20 as well. So well done by all three of them. Lucy Bronze is obviously a mainstay, and she will be until the day she retires. So she will always be there, and she deserves it. She's been crucial in the way that Chelsea has been playing this season so far, and especially in the Champions League, and really leading also from the defense. And, yeah, she's key. So all three of those players deserve to be there, and I think they've worked really hard to do so. Yeah, and I know, Natalia, maybe you're not too happy to see them here, but we'll see who has the last laugh here, and I think it'll be you.

45:56So let's continue on here with our list. Let's check out, we're getting to the nitty gritty, 10 to 4 here with Ewa Pajor. Not surprised to see her there. Barbara Bandajeo, Esther Gonzalez, Hannah Hampton, Patricia Guigarro, of course, Tim Wachewinga, And of course, Alessia Russo. But let's break it down here because with what we saw at the goalkeeping position, Hannah Hampton and the summer that she had as well, and the story behind maybe not so great story on the other side, maybe sharing a little bit too much, but a standout performance and one of the most important pieces for that championship this summer with England.

46:39Allie, what do you make of her making it this high on the list?

46:41Cristina Alexander:Yeah, she deserves it because she had to fill Mary Arps' shoes, which, you know, there was that scandal recently about, you know. Yeah, if you haven't heard. In the book, yeah, if you haven't heard in the book, which was really unfortunate because, you know, it just shed light on, you know, characters and the way that she has fought, Hannah has fought for that position with the national team. And she's done brilliantly. And she's performed outstanding and really has kind of stood above the noise and really has shown up and showed out to really earn that spot. I do think she's one of the best, if not the best, goalkeepers, along with Ann Ketchenberger, I think is pretty incredible at this level.

47:26Cristina Alexander:So she deserves to be there, and I'm really happy to see her in and amongst the noise, right? You kind of have to block that out and still show up and perform well, and she's done exactly that. And she had a tremendous Euros, and she's been performing really well with clubs. So I think she deserves it. And the way that she's handled everything that has come her way with class, I think has been, yeah, really enjoyable to watch. Yeah, and she's so young, too, and having to deal with all the noise surrounding and still performing at the level that she did, obviously, in the summer. And after everything recently happened, as you said, Allie, with Mary Earps.

48:03Let's dive into Tim Wachewinga because she deserves a time. And we touched on her a little bit because we saw her sister higher up in this list. But, I mean, back-to-back Golden Boob, back-to-back MVP. Again, the voting came before at least the MVP was officially announced here for NWSL. Natalia, but, I mean, a well-deserved number five, or were you hoping to see her crack the top three?

48:27Natalia Astrain:Well, I think for me it's good in this position. Honestly, she did an amazing year and last year as well. But at the end she was injured, right? And then I think the team missed her a lot. But I think, yeah, there are other players like our exterminator, right? I'm very happy that Esther is there as well. And Davina, I think make a decision in the last, last 10 in the list is really, really difficult. And, yeah, I'm really happy to see her. I think she's deserving too much of being there. Yeah, I mean, it's no surprise to see her rank this high. And we're glad to see her get her flowers here, Ali.

49:07Cristina Alexander:Yeah, I think all three of these players deserve to be there. I think, you know, Temwa Shawinga, incredible. I mean, she's gotten two-time MVP. She's scoring tons of goals. She's representing not only herself but her family and country at such a high level. And the way that she shows up and performs day in and day out is pretty incredible. I'm fortunate that she wasn't able to play in the playoffs because of her injury. And I think that, you know, Kansas City would have a different outcome, a much different outcome if she were there. And, of course, Bia as well being 100 percent. But a credit to Dabinia for stepping up.

49:46Cristina Alexander:And that's why you see her on this list, because she is a player who is a connecting player, who's an attacking player that really can create. And she's so experienced and she's leading that team from the front. I think for, you know, obviously country, she's in and out with the national team. but that was due to some of her injuries. But that didn't really stop her from being in the top ten. So it's really incredible to see both of these players who are teammates and they play really well together. They have a good relationship on the field together. And I think they set each other up for success, and that's why you see both of them here.

50:25Cristina Alexander:But Schoenga, for me, obviously, hands down is and should be the highest ranked NWSL player. That's without a doubt. Yeah, absolutely. The talent is unmatched, at least at the NWZL level that we're seeing with Tema Chawinga. It's just incredible. And, I mean, we noticed right off the bat in that first home opener, historic home opener for Kansas City, that she was truly something special. And she has shown that time and time again. We just hope that the injuries leave her alone and let her have another phenomenal year. Speaking of a phenomenal year, I mean, Alessia Russo, obviously we had to see her in this list, and we had to see her quite high up.

51:02Natalia, what do you make of the year that she's had?

51:04Natalia Astrain:Well, she's a team goal contribution between the Champions League and the WSL. I think she's a different forward. She can play as a traditional knight that she scores these goals inside the box, and she can, you know, jump in other positions. She can draw play between the lines. She is a player that goes to the side, to the outside channel, and helping. And I think she's a player very disciplined as well, and helping the team in the defending performance as well. I think she's different. She deserved it there. I think she did an amazing year as well with the national team. And, yeah, for me, it's one of the forwards that you always want to have in your team.

51:47Natalia Astrain:Allie?

51:48Cristina Alexander:Yeah, I think she's super effective in the front six, obviously. Like Natalia said, she is very versatile, right? So she can play out wide, loves to cut in. She's really good in combining in and around the box. She has a knack for goals, so she puts herself in good positions to score or at least put the balls on target. She's a creator, right? She disrupts the play and is able to either play back to goal or likes to get in positions where she can receive, get the little separation, and then shots on target. So she's definitely a well-rounded forward and attacking player that I do think any team would be super excited to have.

52:27Cristina Alexander:But she had a phenomenal year with Arsenal as well as, you know, England. And she's one of the faces of the squad. So that's why she's, you know, in this top ten. She deserves to be there. Yeah, so we're seeing really big names, obviously, as we inch closer to our top three. So the question is, who are those top three? We're not going to reveal number one just yet. Let's take a look at number three and two. Of course, if you were asking, where's Mariana Calente? Where's Alexia Puteas? Guys, it's always worth the wait here on Football W, especially with our women's rank. I mean, Marina Calente just had such a great year, obviously, for Spain.

53:06She won the Champions League with Arsenal. Alexia Putellas is Alexia Putellas. But, of course, our number one is Alexia Putellas' teammate at the club level, at least. It is, of course, Aitana Bonmaty at our number one. A big congratulations to her. We never get tired of seeing her name here at number one. So let's hear from her and our Gemma Sule. So, Itana, thanks for talking to ESPN. We're here with very good news because for the third year in a row, you are the number one in the women's rank of ESPN FC. And this is the trophy, very well deserved. So how is it winning for the third year in a row?

53:55Thank you very much. It's the third time that I have this trophy in a row so I'm grateful to ESPN. I had a very very nice years these past three years so I'm grateful to all the people who who has trusted in me. And what do you think you have to be able to be that consistent, that resilient, to win in year after year? Because being the best one year is difficult, but three years in a row is amazing. Yeah, I always say that one of the things I have the best is the mentality and ambition. I think you can be a great footballer, but the thing that moves to you every single day to be better is the mentality and ambition.

54:55I think I have a very strong mentality and a very strong ambition to be better year by year. What I think is different this year is that the previous years, your team won almost everything. This year it's been a bit bittersweet because you had success, but also the final of Lisbon, of the Euros. So how important is you that despite these disappointments you still are the best? The first thing is that with the club we have won three titles and we have to value that. And also we went through a final again and again and again, the same with the national team. We made it to be in the final and sometimes it's details that you can win, you can lose, you have to accept it.

55:51This is part of football, this is part of sport, but the most important thing is the process I think. and I have the luck to be in a team that every single year are in a final. So you can win, you can lose, but I think it's nice that the people value the process, because winning or losing, I think we lose for details. We don't have big losses. Looking at the ESPN ranking, it's Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Mariana Caldantei, number six Patrick Ijarro, number ten Eva Peyor. So it's full of your teammates. How is it sharing with them this big success? Well, I think we have a very, very important generation the last years.

56:44And this generation makes it possible to win all the titles. It's about the group, it's about the team, it's not about one single player because we are playing in a sport that we have to play in group. So we have the value of the team and the generation we had the last years. Of course, you mentioned before that this is part of football, part of football, part of sport as well. What happened to you, this injury, probably the toughest thing that happened in your career. In what moment are you right now in that recovery? Well, as you say, it's the first tough injury I have in my career. I always maybe had little injuries, one month, one month and a half but not like four or five months with a surgery first time I'm in this situation but by now I take it positive, I take it this moment for relax, for thinking on me to be calm The last five years has been for me tough and great, both things.

58:11And I think this injury can have for me the relax I didn't have in the last years. But I think it's another goal for me, a different goal, winning trophies or something like this. It's about recovering well and coming better than I was. So you're taking it with a very positive mentality, like now before it was playing, travelling, training, nothing. So you have some time now to think again. So that's the positive thing of this challenge now? Yeah, I try to see like this because if not, if I take the negative part, maybe I suffer more. But I try to look to the positive part that is like doing things that I never have the time to do.

59:09Also to calm down and to have another goal different. that the goals I have when I'm training and when I'm competing, it's a goal for me, a goal for my recovery, to come to the pitch better and stronger than I was before. Of course, that's the most important thing, the recovery. It's the most important thing, but talking about goals, do you have a goal or a dream that I would like to come back for the semifinals or for Oslo? even if it's just for you, a dream for you?

59:49By now I'm only focused on my recovery. My goal is to be back before the end of the season and I think it's possible because I don't have the worst injury I can. So well my only goal right now is to be back before the end of this season. Yeah, exactly. No pressure and just working in the process. So talking about the Champions League, I guess it's been tough, but have you enjoyed, of course, playing, but then watching your team make this new format and the team has been amazing in this new format? Yeah, I think we as a group we had an incredible first part of Champions League because it's a new format.

1:00:42We have played against a lot of new teams, different teams and we are in the first rank of the group. So it's been a great job from everyone and I think it's coming more in a few months. We have just found out that in quarterfinals you will face Paris FC or Real Madrid. Would you like a Clásico for the quarterfinals? Of course I like the Clásico always to play against Madrid. It's nice and great match to enjoy it. I don't think I'm going to make it, but I think we have to face the best of the two. And you also avoid maybe the toughest opponents, like OAL, Arsenal go on the other side. So it would be nice, right?

1:01:41We'll see how are you going to be, but to be back in another final after Lisbon, to play in Oslo and to be able to recover from that. Yes, of course, the main goal of this season is to go to the final and if it's possible, win it. I think it's a far path, but it's possible, of course. Apart from football, you mentioned that now you have some time because of this injury. What do you enjoy doing apart from football now that you have some time to do it? For example, being with my family. I never have time to be with my family. I'm now living with my uncles, Lili and Pere, who are living in Barcelona.

1:02:30and it's better for me to live close to La Ciutat Esportiva and to the medical center. And the other part of the family are coming to visit me, the friends also. I'm spending a lot of time with my family that I never do that in 27 years old. So well it's nice. I think I'm learning to be more patient because I cannot do anything for my own I need someone to do all the things so this the situation I think it's give me learnings like be patient with my family my friends be calm because I'm a very active person on the pitch but off the pitch also I never can be quiet in my sofa I need to do things all the time and now I'm doing almost nothing something and also I can be more focused in other projects for example my camp my my camp in my in my town and also the camp of USA in in Los Angeles and San Diego so I'm focused on this and it's nice yeah and what are you doing a museum as well in Riva so you have that project you're working in that too right?

1:03:52Yeah we are, I don't know how to say, ayuntamiento? The major town, with the town hall. Yeah you're doing that. Yeah with the major town we are thinking on doing a museum to expose all the achievement but also all the all the path I had to do to come to this level because it's a little town so I want to share with with everyone and who all the people also who can come to my town and knowing my my my place no my important place of course so just one last message for the Barca fans Spain fans but the world of football fans so that you want to give them to say thank you for the support or no of course to be to be back I guess yes of course thank you everybody for for cheering for me always, for, I don't know how to say, but giving me support is more important.

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1:06:59Thank you so much to our Gemma Soler. I mean, just to give you a little snapshot as to what Aitana Monati did this year for Club and Country. She was a 2025 Ballon d 'Or Femina winner, her third in a row. She was UEFA Women's Euro and UEFA Women's Champions League runner-up. Player of the season at both. She won the Liga F, Copa de la Reina, Spanish Super Cup, and she won the UEFA Women's Nations League with Spain. That was much recently. Of course, our voting came before that. But, I mean, bar none, it's no surprise to see her name here as well. Natalia, what do you make of her making our number one for the third time in a row?

1:07:40Natalia Astrain:Well, I want to clarify that it was not only me who was voting for this list, because if we see the three players in the top, the people will think, hey, only Natalia made this decision. But no, there was a lot of people. But yeah, I cannot be more happy, you know. And I think it's a different player. We are talking about this intelligence and soccer IQ, understanding the spaces. She knows when she needs to run, when she needs to step the box, like here. and in addition she knows how to score. I think that she is very different. She's a player and teammate. She makes the player as well around her really good.

1:08:19Natalia Astrain:And she has like a other way to see the game. I think she will be a coach in her future. But for me, she continues. I'm still hungry. She continues being humble as well. And I think it's a player that always wants to improve. I feel like Aitana well-deserved. It's not only three ballon d 'or, in addition, three times the best player in a row. I think that the people can see that she's different. The bad thing is like now she's injured, and I'm sure that Barcelona will miss her, but we hope that she can recover very soon. Yeah, one of one at number one. But what makes her so different, or what separates her from everyone else, Ali?

1:09:04Cristina Alexander:She's just a generational player. And the way that even Natalia mentioned this, the way that she can understand the game and her movement off the ball, I think, is what is spectacular for me. Whenever I watch and, you know, and I'm analyzing games and just seeing the movement of her runs and sometimes just standing in place. Right. And being able to receive balls in specific areas has been truly incredible. So the vision, not only is she willing to do what others aren't, but the vision of the game, her technical ability, because not only is she a tremendous midfielder and she wants to be the connector, but she can also score goals.

1:09:45Cristina Alexander:So I think that's, you know, why she has been the top player for the last three years. Yeah, so she's the top player, but we did see Natalia, as you mentioned, number two and three, Mariona Caliente, Alexia Puteas. Obviously, Alexia knows Aitana better than Mariona just because they don't play in the same team at the club level. But, of course, national team teammates here. Who had a better case for number one, do you think? Was it Alexia Putellas or Mariona Calente?

1:10:13Natalia Astrain:I feel like a Mariona. Mariona won the Champions League. And Mariona, for me, is a really, really good player. She's very different as well. And she scored goals. And she's a very decisive player. We saw her in the final with Arsenal. And in addition with Spain, I feel like she's very versatile player as well. We can see her playing as a winger, sometimes in the midfielder. And I think, yeah, Mariona, for me, could have more chances to be in the top than Alexia. Yeah, so obviously for our number one, I mean, it was pretty divided here on our voting panel as well. And we want to show you quite literally just how divided it was.

1:10:55because when we talk about ranking by total score, Aitana Bonmaty comes in at number one. But take a look at the ranking by number one votes. Mariona Calente right there, followed by Aitana Bonmaty, Alexia Putellas, and of course, Temwa Chawinga. But everybody has their different criteria as to why they vote number one for each player. We're going to toss it over to our friends in Europe again with Alex Scott. Take it away. OK, we are excited to carry on this conversation and I'm going to jump straight in at number one, Bon Mati. Does she deserve to be top of the pile once again? Because, what, the last three years it's been now?

1:11:39I think when I'm watching Bon Mati live, she's my favourite player to watch, so I'm going to contradict myself. But I think if we're looking at the year, for me, Mariano Caldente should have been given the best player, FIFA's best and the Ballon d 'Or. If we're looking at what, you know, Mariano Caldente came from Barcelona, and a Windsor Champions League against her former side, the year she had scoring goals, she was amazing. Now, football can divide opinions, can't it? That doesn't mean I think Bon Mati isn't good. I love her. I think she's amazing. But, like, they didn't win the Champions League.

1:12:06They didn't win the Euros. So how are they basing that? But then I'd argue that then, why Caldente and not Russo? Because Russo won the Champions League and the Euros of England and had huge impact in both of those teams and the success of that. Yeah. So for me, Russo should have been ahead. For sure. Number one. She should have won it. Yeah. Really? Given the season she's had. Really? She has been a standout player in both of those teams' success for me. Russo would be two for me. But Caldente, she lost in the final. And Russo played a huge part in that. But she won in the Champions League final.

1:12:37Sorry? Mariana Caldente won in the Champions League final. Russo was playing in the same game. Or did I miss something?

1:12:46Are you saying that Russo controls a game and dictates all the players around her like a Bon Mate or Caldente does? They're different positions, right? So Caldente's come from playing naturally off the left-hand side at Barcelona, into Arsenal, and had to adapt. Because when she comes, she wasn't giving as much. And Arsenal found a position for her centrally. And actually, she's really grown into that position. And most of the controlled play comes from central midfielders. Right? And that's why we look at them most. And then obviously, the second to that, we'll look at goal scorers. And then lastly, we'll look at probably goalies.

1:13:14And so he named them and Alex, but defend them, right? But that's just how the game is. Because people are excited. All right, if you score goals at defendants. People are excited by those positions. She doesn't control games by what she does with the ball. The stuff she does off the ball the way that she could bring players into the game the way she can score goals She could do all of that if you're talking about controlling a game But might he does it the best better than anyone but not in that season though I'm just saying Caldente controls a game from central area where she she doesn't do what Russo does So one was bigger last year then Caldente for sure who's two for you because if you took let me ask you something if you took Caldente Right out of the Spain team for example now the Arsenal team last year Could they still have got to a Euro final or a Champions League final?

1:13:52Gemma Soler:I don't think Arsenal get there without Caldente. Would Arsenal get there if they took... Would England win it if they took Russo out? This is all hypothetical. We're agreeing to the same thing, right? Because Natham just said the same thing. If you take Caldente out, they don't win. If you take Russo out, they don't win. But I think they can... I think they still can win with Arsenal's central midfielders. Really? Without Caldente? Why not? Why not? Nah. So then even on your list right now, Farah, you're looking at this, all three of you, actually. So you wouldn't even put Puteas as number two?

1:14:17I'm just saying off last year's success and the year that Russo had, it shocked me that she didn't win. I would have put Russo, I would have put Caldente second, and I would have put Mati first. I don't think it would have been as much uproar if Alessia Russo would have got it. Do you get what I mean? If Alessia would come first, and then Mariano Caldente comes second, then Bob Mati third, I don't think people would have had such uproar. But I think because of the way the list went, I think that's why it sparks debate, I think.

1:14:43Gemma Soler:I think I need to be convinced by the Russo thing. I think I really do. Because I think personally, Not to say they're the same sort of player, but I think Arsenal could make do with a Blaxtenius. Really? And they haven't done in how many years with a Blaxtenius? But I'm talking also in relation to, say, for example, the Euros final, in which Rousseau wasn't on the pitch towards the end. She came off quite early in that game. There's a difference, and you know this, Nadem, and you'll know this, between starting and impacting a game, right, and having that success of a team to allow players like Blaxtenius when the game starts to open up and you can use her profiling of players.

1:15:15I wouldn't have to then... You're not going to say her? No, that's not what I'm saying.

1:15:18Gemma Soler:I'm talking about the impact of Caldente out versus Russo being out of the Arsenal team. England are worse when Russo's not playing. No one else plays, that's why. And I don't think Spain are worse when Caldente's not playing. As I look at this list here, one of my issues that I have is I can't help but play when it stays on.

1:15:37Natalia Astrain:And as I start with Vitalik Bokmati, right, Alexis Potez, no.

1:15:42Gemma Soler:Caldente, no. Russo, no. And for as much as her season might have been as obviously good. I'm with you. as, say, others. You still have that. She's still eye-todd on my team. For me, she is the best player in the world. It's hard to just move on from that. Okay, Nadem, sorry then. Looking at that list, do you think when we are doing a list like this or actually when people are looking at women's football, there's still the hype around players and maybe that's why some are higher than not and actually what have they achieved this season or this year then? I think there is that, But within probably all lists that are created about football, you know, because there are some people who are more visible.

1:16:21Gemma Soler:There are some games which are on prime time a lot more than others. But that's when, like, say, for example, with this list, I don't mind the fact that, say, Chawenga is coming in at number six. Because, say, domestically in England, not everybody is essentially watching the NWSL to be seeing Kansas City current play on a week-to-week basis. But they see, like, her impact and so on. But I think some of that can be a factor. and I think there are probably one or two players on this list who sit a little bit too high, in my opinion. Go on, don't sit on the fence. I don't know, like, say, for example, on this, like, everyone here is a very, very good player, that goes without saying, but Chloe Kelly at 19, being one position ahead of Marta, who nearly willed Orlando Pride to the Championship game in NWSL, that doesn't add up in my mind.

1:17:05Gemma Soler:I agree with that. I like close, top goal, but I agree with that, because it's like, and I think she'd probably say the same, when you look at minutes played, Like, this is a player that has come off the bench for England, come off the bench for Arsenal and done well, but to be higher... She's done more than well. She's done more than well. She's amazing. No, but what I'm saying is that... I know, and I can't agree. But what I'm saying is that... Did you say, Mark, I want to end up with yourself? No, no, no. Oh, oh. In this year, Canada, yeah, she did one double. Sorry, Chloe Kelly... Russo. She's obsessed with Russo.

1:17:38Chloe Kelly comes off the bench and changes the whole of the Euros for England. Full stop. But you've just said before that Stina Black-Steni is coming off the bench. Yeah, yeah, yeah. His impact. It's easier coming off the bench.

1:17:49Gemma Soler:That's the fact. It is easier coming off the bench. And that's my point. But you've got to have impact when you come off the bench. Right. And she did. Absolutely. For England, two or one of the two rest sides. Close the top. Amazing player. But when you look at the list and you look at the minutes. I think that's what they look at. Because even if you look further down, and we're going to come outside the top 20, but when you look at Ajiman, 29, she played a few minutes for Brighton last season. very few minutes, but she was a substitute. She also was a substitute in the Euros. But they're looking at the impact she had in the Euros.

1:18:15That's the only reason she sits at 29. They're just looking at impact made in games.

1:18:20Gemma Soler:Was it last year or within last year where Marta also helped Brazil win a couple of America? I don't know, two years ago, wasn't it? No, it was this year. Does that count? I'm just trying to talk about impact. Does that count? The point is, though, what Al said, Marta was consistently on this list for years and years and years because that was the only name everybody knew. Now, she's back on the list, and I think she deserves to be on it. Whereas previously, she'll probably tell you herself, she went for a period of time where she wasn't... Marta's my favourite ever player, greatest for me, the GOAT.

1:18:46When people talk about the GOAT, Marta all day long. But she was on this list because of name. I think we have moved on a little bit. It could still be better, though, Al. You know, we talk about the visibility. Like, I do think this list, we could debate... We're going to debate it till now. I was going to say, there's too many good players to debate. We're running out of time. But what this list does do, every single year, it gets stronger and stronger. and it allows for these debates. Some people are going to be happy, some people not. Farah is going to calm down right now. We're going to slaughter her out.

1:19:15Thank you so much, everyone. All right, Natalia, speaking of Aitana Juan Matias, a little bit more, I know we mentioned the fact that she'll be out for the next five months. Is she still your number one?

1:19:27Natalia Astrain:Of course, no doubt. I think she can be out five months, but she will continue being there because all the things that she provides already, right? It's not only these next five months. I'm sure that Barcelona will miss her and we will miss her, but it's not only these next five months. And we hope we can see her in the final of the Champions League. I say that. Let's see. Well, we hope to see you very soon, Natalia, with us here on Football W. Thank you so much for hanging out with us on such a special show. Yeah, thank you, ladies. It's a big pleasure. Igualmente. Natalia, miss you. All right, let's take it to our parting shot with the 2025 FIFA Marta Award winner, Jackie Ovalle, with the camaroncin, with the little shrimp, Allie.

1:20:17It's so good.

1:20:18Cristina Alexander:I don't even know if she really meant to squiz or she was trying to just redirect it to keep it in play. I mean, I just think everybody was shook. The goalkeeper even was surprised and just not expecting that. Also, style points, too. Her ponytail just looks so cool, too, when she jumps. The little celebration. There's just a little bonus here. She's in NWSL, and she did great with Orlando in playoffs. Yeah, and Marta's her teammate. She got the Marta Award. So I don't know if she's biased about that or not. Marta was wearing the Mexican jersey with Ovalle's name. That was pretty cool to see. Yeah, that was really cool.

1:20:56That was really cool.

1:20:56Cristina Alexander:Two brilliant players doing wonderful things down in Orlando, and I'm really happy that she's in our league now. Oh, well, happy you were with me, too, here, Allie, tonight in our special Women's Ranked Show. We hope you enjoyed it as well. Happy holidays to you all. We will be back very soon. Thanks, Allie. Get away. Bye.

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