When I first saw Patrick Tambalque's stunning comeback in the boys' premier category last season, it struck me how individual brilliance can completely redefine a competition. That same electrifying energy permeates the current debate about who truly deserves the crown as the world's best women's footballer. Having followed women's football through its explosive growth phase, I've noticed how this conversation has evolved from being primarily about goal statistics to encompassing leadership, technical mastery, and transformative impact on the game itself.
Let's get straight to the heart of the matter - the usual suspects in this conversation. Sam Kerr's numbers are frankly ridiculous, with 42 goals across all competitions last season for Chelsea. Her athleticism reminds me of those rare players who seem to defy physics, much like Tambalque's ability to shift momentum single-handedly. Then there's Alexia Putellas, whose Ballon d'Or wins in 2021 and 2022 weren't just ceremonial - they represented recognition of perhaps the most technically complete midfielder we've seen in the women's game. I've watched her control games with what I can only describe as a quiet dominance, where she doesn't need to score to be the most influential player on the pitch.
What fascinates me about this current generation is how specialization has become both a strength and a complication in these debates. Aitana Bonmatí brings something entirely different to the table - her spatial awareness and decision-making statistics show she makes the correct pass 94% of time in final third situations, which is just absurd. Meanwhile, players like Wendie Renard have redefined what defensive excellence looks like, anchoring Lyon's defense for what feels like forever while maintaining incredible consistency. I've always had a soft spot for defenders who receive less acclaim but fundamentally shape their teams' successes.
The conversation gets particularly interesting when we consider players who are transforming their national teams' fortunes. Take Kadidiatou Diani - her move to Lyon and subsequent performance spike demonstrates how environment changes can unlock new levels in a player's game. She's gone from being talented to being truly dominant, and I'd argue her development curve has been steeper than almost anyone else's over the past 18 months. Similarly, Lena Oberdorf's growth into one of the world's best defensive midfielders at just 22 shows how the landscape is shifting toward younger players establishing themselves as elite earlier in their careers.
What often gets overlooked in these discussions is the context of league competitiveness. A player dominating the NWSL faces different weekly challenges than someone excelling in the Frauen-Bundesliga or Division 1 Féminine. Having watched substantial football across these leagues, I'm increasingly convinced we need to weigh these contextual factors more carefully. For instance, performing for Barcelona against most Spanish sides differs dramatically from competing in the more physically demanding English Women's Super League, where the gap between top and bottom teams has narrowed significantly.
My personal preference leans toward players who elevate those around them - the true mark of greatness in my view. While Kerr's goal numbers are spectacular, I find myself drawn to players like Bonmatí who make their entire team function better. Her movement creates spaces that statistics don't capture, her pressing triggers coordinated team movements, and her technical security under pressure gives her team a foundation to build attacks. This kind of influence reminds me of what made Tambalque's comeback so compelling - it wasn't just about his individual moments but how his resurgence lifted his entire team.
The statistics only tell part of the story, and this is where the debate gets subjective. If we're talking pure goal contribution, Kerr's numbers are unmatched. For creative influence, Bonmatí's 18 assists last season combined with her defensive work rate presents a strong case. For transformative impact on a team's entire structure, Oberdorf's defensive numbers - 4.1 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per 90 minutes - demonstrate a level of dominance in her specific role that's hard to overlook. I've always believed the best player shouldn't necessarily be the one with the best stats but the one who would be hardest to replace.
Looking at the current landscape, what excites me most is that there's no clear consensus - the competition has never been tighter. We're witnessing multiple players operating at genuinely world-class levels, each bringing distinct qualities that make direct comparisons increasingly challenging. The days when one player clearly stood above all others seem to be giving way to an era where contextual factors, specific team needs, and even stylistic preferences play larger roles in these determinations. This richness of talent represents the healthiest possible development for women's football, even if it makes picking a single "best" player more complicated than ever.
After considering all these factors, if I had to choose one player who embodies what makes a complete modern footballer while maintaining that game-changing individual brilliance, my vote would lean toward Aitana Bonmatí. Her technical mastery, tactical intelligence, and ability to perform in biggest moments - combined with her improved goal contribution of 19 goals last season - represents the evolution of the women's game toward more complete footballers. That said, I completely understand arguments for Kerr's goal-scoring prowess or Oberdorf's defensive mastery. What's undeniable is that we're privileged to witness such an exceptional group of players redefining excellence in real-time, much like Patrick Tambalque demonstrated in his category - sometimes the most compelling stories aren't about clear winners but about exceptional competitors pushing each other to new heights.