There’s no denying it—female soccer players changing the game in 2025 are doing more than just winning trophies. They’re influencing tactics, raising standards, inspiring younger generations, and even shaping culture off the pitch. Fans aren’t just watching for the goals anymore. They’re following the style, the story, and the energy these women bring to the field and beyond.
What’s wild is how global it’s become. You’ve got stars breaking through in Europe, the U.S., South America, and even places where women’s soccer used to be ignored. These aren’t just players anymore—they’re game-changers in every sense of the word. Some are dominating Champions League nights, others are rewriting international records, and a few are using their voices just as effectively as their feet.
Whether you’re a casual fan or coaching the next generation, these ten players are the ones to keep an eye on this year. Not just because of their stats, but because of how they’re pushing the game forward.
1. Alexia Putellas – Still the Heart of Barcelona
Let’s be honest—few players in the world, male or female, can dictate a midfield like Alexia Putellas. Even after a rough injury setback in 2022, she’s come back stronger, smarter, and somehow even more complete. In 2025, she continues to boss games for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
What makes Alexia special isn’t just her passing range or her eye for goal. It’s the way she reads the game. She doesn’t just react—she orchestrates. She can slow the game down or shift gears and start an attack out of nowhere. That level of control is rare. She’s become a blueprint for the modern attacking midfielder.
On top of that, she’s using her influence to boost visibility for women’s football in Spain and beyond. Whether she’s speaking up for equal pay or just mentoring young players at La Masia, Alexia is changing more than tactics—she’s changing attitudes.
Stats:
Alexia Putellas has completed over 90% of her passes in La Liga F across the last three seasons—among the highest for attacking midfielders globally. (Source: FBref)
2. Sam Kerr – Australia’s Global Superstar
Few forwards are as consistent as Sam Kerr. She’s lethal in the air, ridiculously good with her positioning, and calm under pressure. In 2025, she’s once again proving she’s more than just a finisher—she’s a complete striker.
Even after injuries limited her World Cup run, Kerr didn’t lose momentum. She’s bounced back, leading Chelsea’s attack with her usual mix of grit and flair. And for Australia, she’s more than a star—she’s a national hero. Young girls grow up watching her, dreaming of doing bicycle kicks in front of sold-out stadiums just like she does.
Kerr’s leadership is also crucial. She’s vocal on and off the pitch, pushing for better investment in the women’s game in Oceania. That’s a legacy you can’t measure with just goals.
Helpful Hint:
If you’re a young striker looking to improve your positioning, study Sam Kerr’s movement off the ball. She doesn’t wait for chances—she creates them by reading defenders and attacking spaces early.
3. Trinity Rodman – The Future Is Already Here
At just 22, Trinity Rodman is already a force in world football. She’s not just living up to her famous last name—she’s redefining it. Her speed is insane, but what’s truly special is how smart she is with the ball. She doesn’t just run—she makes defenders second-guess everything.
In 2025, she’s tearing it up for the Washington Spirit and becoming a major piece of the U.S. Women’s National Team attack. Her confidence is sky-high, and she’s got the skills to back it up—stepovers, backheels, nutmegs… you name it.
Rodman also brings energy off the field. She’s outspoken, fearless, and not afraid to push back on outdated ideas about female athletes. That’s what makes her stand out—not just the highlight reels, but the purpose behind her play.
- Youngest player in USWNT history to sign a million-dollar contract.
- Leads NWSL in assists for the 2025 season so far.
- Openly advocates for athlete mental health awareness.
4. Khadija “Bunny” Shaw – Jamaica’s Powerhouse
Bunny Shaw doesn’t just score—she dominates. In 2025, she’s the focal point of Manchester City’s attack, banging in goals like it’s nothing. But her story goes way beyond club stats. She’s singlehandedly made Jamaica a team you don’t want to underestimate anymore.
She combines raw power with technical finesse. One minute she’s outmuscling defenders, the next she’s chipping a goalkeeper with ease. That mix makes her one of the hardest players to defend in the world right now.
What really sets her apart is her grit. Coming from tough beginnings in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Shaw is proof that talent plus hustle can break barriers. And she’s using her platform to push for more investment in Caribbean women’s football, which has long been overlooked.
Stats:
Bunny Shaw is the all-time leading scorer for Jamaica and had 20+ goals in the 2024–25 WSL season. (Source: BBC Sport)
5. Aitana Bonmatí – Tactical Genius in Midfield
If you’re into football IQ, Aitana Bonmatí is your player. She’s been called the “next Iniesta” for a reason. Her movement, her ability to dictate tempo, and the way she threads impossible passes make her absolutely vital for both Barcelona and Spain.
After winning the 2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin, she didn’t let up. In 2025, she’s even better—more decisive, more influential. She plays like she’s five steps ahead of everyone else on the pitch.
Bonmatí is also helping change how people view midfield roles in women’s soccer. She’s making the deep-lying playmaker sexy again—reminding fans that intelligence can be just as thrilling as raw pace or power.
Helpful Hint:
If you’re a coach training youth players, use Aitana Bonmatí’s matches as film sessions. Her spatial awareness and scanning habits are textbook examples of how to own the midfield.
6. Debinha – Brazil’s Creative Engine
Debinha is one of those players who makes the game look effortless. She’s silky smooth on the ball, sharp with her decisions, and an absolute magician in tight spaces. In 2025, she’s leading Brazil’s midfield with flair, experience, and that classic Brazilian creativity fans love.
Playing for Kansas City Current in the NWSL, Debinha continues to deliver on the club level while anchoring Brazil’s ambitions on the world stage. She’s the kind of player who doesn’t just play the game—she paints it.
And it’s not just about technique. Debinha is incredibly clutch. She shows up when it counts, scoring crucial goals in Copa América and World Cup qualifiers, keeping Brazil in the spotlight even as other teams rise around them.
- Scored in 3 major international tournaments for Brazil in the last 4 years
- Top 5 in NWSL goal contributions in 2024
- Known for her signature no-look passes and sudden bursts into the box
7. Fridolina Rolfö – Sweden’s All-Rounder
There’s a quiet confidence in Fridolina Rolfö’s game that’s hard to ignore. She can defend, score, create, and even switch positions mid-match without losing impact. That versatility is gold, especially in a modern tactical system where flexibility is key.
Whether she’s playing left back, winger, or forward, she brings the same mix of intelligence, physicality, and finesse. In 2025, she’s a key cog in Barcelona’s success and a rock for the Swedish national team, which continues to be one of the most consistent squads in Europe.
More importantly, Rolfö embodies what it means to be a team player. She’s not chasing headlines—she’s chasing trophies and building a legacy as a utility star who delivers in big moments.
Pro Tip for Coaches:
Use Rolfö as an example when training youth players in multiple positions. Her adaptability proves that mastering different roles can make you irreplaceable on any team.
8. Salma Paralluelo – The Next Spanish Star
Salma Paralluelo might just be the breakout star of the next decade. A former track athlete, her speed is almost unfair—but she’s so much more than just pace. In 2025, she’s becoming a go-to attacker for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
She’s direct, explosive, and developing her technical game fast. What’s exciting is how fearless she is. She’ll take on defenders without hesitation and has already scored game-winners on big stages despite still being in her early 20s.
Her story is just getting started, but if she stays on this path, she could become Spain’s next all-time great.
Stats:
Clocked the fastest sprint speed at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and has 10+ goals in her last 15 La Liga F matches.
9. Lindsey Horan – USA’s New Leader
As the U.S. Women’s National Team enters a new era, Lindsey Horan has stepped up as the heartbeat of the squad. After taking the captain’s armband, she’s embraced the challenge of guiding a younger team while still being one of the best midfielders in the world.
Horan brings balance. She can defend, distribute, and even pop up for the occasional rocket goal from outside the box. In 2025, her leadership and consistency are irreplaceable assets for both the national team and her club, Olympique Lyonnais.
Off the field, she’s been a strong advocate for players’ rights and has spoken up on everything from CBA negotiations to the mental health pressures of elite sport.
- 2-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner
- USWNT captain since 2023
- Ranks top 3 in most passes completed in the final third globally (2024–25)
10. Guro Reiten – Norway’s Creative Spark
Guro Reiten is one of the most underrated creators in world football. Operating mostly as a winger or attacking mid for Chelsea and Norway, she has one of the most lethal left feet in the game. Her crossing? Pinpoint. Her vision? Next level.
In 2025, she’s leading Chelsea’s assist charts and helping Norway rebuild into a more dynamic and attacking team. She’s not flashy in the typical sense, but her contribution to any team is undeniable. Whether it’s a slick through ball or a curling free kick, Reiten brings elegance and end product.
She’s also helping raise the standard for Scandinavian footballers globally. More players from the region are now being scouted thanks to her influence and performance in the WSL.
Hint:
If you’re learning how to cross with accuracy, study Guro Reiten’s delivery mechanics—she rarely overhits a ball, and her whip on set pieces is elite.
