BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year roll of honour

2015 saw the launch of the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.

After a panel of experts, which includes coaches, players, administrators, journalists, and administrators, chooses a five-player shortlist, the decision is made by a global public vote.

The previous winners are as follows:

2015: Asisat Oshoala

Asisat Oshoala, a Nigerian and Liverpool forward, was the first female BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Oshoala, 20, helped Nigeria’s senior team win the African Women’s Championship and won the Under-20s World Cup as tournament player of the year.

Veronica Boquete, Nadine Kessler, Kim Little, and Marta were also shortlisted.

2016: Kim Little

Kim Little, a midfielder for Scotland, won in 2016.

Little then defeated Becky Sauerbrunn, Amandine Henry, Carli Lloyd, and Gaelle Enganamouit at Seattle Reign.

2017: Ada Hegerberg

The 2017 winner was the Lyon and Norway striker.

Hegerberg finished ahead of Melanie Behringer, Christine Sinclair, Hedvig Lindahl, and Marta.

2018: Lucy Bronze

In 2018, England defender Lucy Bronze won the match, and Lyon players came back in it.

She was followed by Pernille Harder and Dzsenifer Marozsan, who were also shortlisted. She then defeated Lieke Martens and Sam Kerr to win the award.

2019: Ada Hegerberg

Hegerberg won the award twice in 2019 as the first recipient.

She scored a hat-trick for Lyon in their Champions League victory just four days later, taking home the trophy.

Pernille Harder, Sam Kerr, Saki Kumagai, and Lindsey Horan were also nominated that year.

2020: Lucy Bronze

Bronze won the award a second time, akin to Hegerberg.

She said, “Winning a trophy twice is special because it’s so much harder.”

Julie Ertz, Megan Rapinoe, Sam Kerr, and Vivianne Miedema were also shortlisted.

2021: Vivianne Miedema

Vivianne Miedema, a striker for Netherlands and Arsenal, won the 2021 title game after finishing second the previous year.

At the time, she was the all-time top goalscorer for both the Netherlands and the Women’s Super League, and she also held the record for the most goals scored at a Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Alexia Putellas came in third, Sam Kerr came in second, and Alexia Putellas came in third. Ashley Lawrence and Caroline Graham Hansen were the other candidates.

2022: Beth Mead

Beth Mead, the forward for England and Arsenal, won the Player of the Year award in 2022 after leading the Lionesses to glory under the Golden Boot and the Player of the Tournament.

Alexia Putellas, who won the Ballon d’Or that year, came in second place, and Sam Kerr came in third.

Alexandra Popp and Wendie Renard were the other nominees on the shortlist.

2023: Mary Earps

Then, as the Lionesses advanced to the World Cup final, England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps won the coveted trophy.

Additionally, she assisted United to finish second overall in the 2022-23 Women’s Super League.

Sam Kerr, Fridolina Rolfo, and Alexandra Popp were also nominated, along with Aitana Bonmati, who placed second.

2024: Barbra Banda

In 2024, Barbra Banda took home the award.

Aitana Bonmati, who came second, and Sophia Smith, who came third, were the only people who won the public vote.