Overview
- ESPN released the fifth annual list on Dec. 24 and paired it with a streaming special on ESPN+ and globally on Disney+ featuring a sit-down interview with Aitana Bonmati.
- The top three are all Spanish: Aitana Bonmati at No. 1, Alexia Putellas at No. 2, and Mariona Caldentey at No. 3.
- Spain’s depth is reinforced by Patri Guijarro at No. 6 and Gotham FC’s Esther Gonzalez at No. 8 to give the nation five of the top 10.
- Several NWSL players made the top 10, including Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga at No. 5 and Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda at No. 9.
- The United States placed seven players on the list but none in the top 20, with Emily Fox the highest-ranked American at No. 23.