Top 100 Female Footballers of 2022: 70-61
Results: 100-91, 90-81, 80-71, 70-61, 60-51, 50-41, 40-31, 30-21, 20-11, 10-1
The voting period for the Top 100 Female Footballers of 2022 was 1st November 2021 – 31st October 2022
70
Megan Rapinoe is not slowing down. Check the scoring and assists rankings for the NWSL season this year and the 37-year-old ranked highly in both. Rapinoe came to the fore for OL Reign in the second half of last term helping her side to the regular season title. Despite emerging talent across the USA attack, Rapinoe is still holding down an important role in the team heading into likely her final World Cup next year and is reminding people she still has plenty to offer at the top level.
69
Däbritz is showing herself to be on one of the most consistent midfielders in the world, especially when it comes to her all-round game in midfield. Her influence both defensively and offensively sets her apart, where she can drop back and frustrate the opposition before breaking forward and getting on the ball to create chances at the other end of the pitch. Däbritz moved between rivals PSG and Lyon in the summer and has already had an impact on the latter, while remaining important for Germany.
68
Daly played two very differing roles throughout 2022 as a striker and a tenacious full-back. For Houston Dash, she was in her usual No 9 position and as ever impressive in her finishing ability in the NWSL, before returning to England with Aston Villa over the summer. Currently joint-top scorer in the WSL, Daly played at left-back role for England as they won the European Championship and her hard work and never-say-die attitude in defence were pivotal to lifting the trophy. She continues to be the ultimate versatile pro.
67
It’s little surprise that a player as experienced and talented as Asllani has had a big impact on a growing Milan side after swapping Spain for Italy. She is close to the top of the scoring charts in Italy with seven goals already this campaign for her new club, coming into the season off the back of an impressive Euro 2022 for Sweden. She was arguably her national side’s most influential player during the tournament, causing problems for opponents with her close control, skill and footwork.
66
A breakout star of 2022 for both club and country. The 22-year-old was the first player selected in the NWSL Draft by San Diego Wave and had a huge impact in the club’s first season, as well as working herself into a starting spot for the USA since making her senior debut in April. Girma is already showing how composed she is at the heart of defence for both teams, and is nowhere near her peak as a defender, but has been well recognised by our judges for her performances.
65
Batlle is another talented young defender who comes into the top 100 for the first time. She has quietly progressed for Manchester United every season since arriving in England and is now arguably the most complete full-back in the WSL. Batlle manages to team up both defensive work with her attacking qualities. She’s tough to get around at the back due to her tenacity and reading of the game, but is now influencing matters at the other end too, as she showed with her superb goal earlier this month against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
64
Frohms is another who jumps into the 100 for the first time and it’s little surprise after a big year for both club and country. Her two years at Eintracht Frankfurt propelled Frohms not only to No 1 status for Germany, where she was superb in the summer’s Euros, but also earned her a move to champions Wolfsburg. The 27-year-old was one of the best goalkeepers of the tournament, her shot-stopping ability on show throughout Germany’s run to the final.
63
Fleming drops slightly after her exploits on the world stage in 2021, but while Canada enjoyed a more low-key year post-Olympics, she has now started to come more to the fore at club level with Chelsea, particularly following the departure of Ji So-yun and Melanie Leupolz’s unavailability after giving birth. Fleming’s talent has been well known since breaking on to the stage as a teenager. Now playing further forward with Pernille Harder out injured, she is contributing with goals and assists and playing several key midfield roles for one of the best club side’s in the world.
62
Shaw drops slightly but should her form at the end of 2022 continue she will rise well up the rankings in 2023. It took the Jamaican star a little time to build into life in England as Manchester City started with Ellen White last season, but since the England forward’s retirement Shaw has shown the goalscoring prowess everyone knew was there. Her ability to link up and create has led to Shaw topping the WSL scoring charts this season with eight goals for Gareth Taylor’s side.
61
Foord’s Arsenal and Australia teammate, Steph Catley, recently said she believes the 28-year-old is playing the best football of her career. Foord has become a key player in the Arsenal attack. She has been one of the most creative players in the WSL this season, already creating five goals for her teammates before Christmas. She’s picking up top form at just the right time, especially with a home World Cup next year, and returns to the list having been 51st in 2020.
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