Who Truly Deserves the Title of Best Women's Soccer Player in the World?

As I watched the sellout crowd of 8,175 fans fill the stadium during that memorable May 18 playdate in Rizal province, I couldn't help but reflect on what truly separates good athletes from legendary ones. The atmosphere was electric, with Rain or Shine battling Magnolia as the main event while San Miguel faced Terrafirma in the curtain-raiser. But my mind kept drifting to a different sport entirely - women's soccer - and the eternal debate about who deserves the crown as the world's best player. Having followed women's football for over fifteen years, I've developed some strong opinions about what makes a player truly exceptional, and I'm not afraid to share them.

The conversation about the world's best women's soccer player has become increasingly complex in recent years, and I've noticed many fans and pundits focusing too much on flashy statistics while ignoring the intangible qualities that create true greatness. When I analyze players, I look for that magical combination of technical skill, mental toughness, and the ability to elevate their teammates - what I like to call the "transformative factor." That packed stadium in Rizal province reminded me of something crucial: greatness isn't just about individual brilliance but about creating moments that bring people together, that make 8,175 strangers feel connected through shared awe. I've been fortunate enough to attend matches featuring all the current contenders, from Sam Kerr's explosive performances to Ada Hegerberg's clinical finishing, and each brings something unique to the conversation.

Let me be perfectly honest here - I've always been slightly biased toward players who perform when it matters most. Take Alexia Putellas, for instance. Her back-to-back Ballon d'Or Féminin wins in 2021 and 2022 weren't just about her impressive 34 goals across those seasons but about her commanding presence in crucial Champions League matches. I remember watching her against Wolfsburg last year when Barcelona was down 2-0, and the way she organized her teammates, demanded the ball in stressful situations, and ultimately contributed to two goals demonstrated leadership qualities that statistics alone can't capture. On the other hand, while I admire Sam Kerr's incredible athleticism and her 42 goals for Chelsea last season, I've sometimes questioned her consistency in high-pressure international tournaments for Australia.

The mental aspect of the game is where we can really separate the good from the great. Having spoken with sports psychologists and former players, I've come to appreciate how much of elite performance happens between the ears. Megan Rapinoe, for example, possesses what I consider championship mentality - that unique ability to embrace pressure rather than merely withstand it. Her performance in the 2019 World Cup, where she scored 6 goals including that iconic penalty against France, demonstrated a psychological fortitude that I find more impressive than pure technical skill. Similarly, when I watch Caroline Graham Hansen play, I'm struck by her football intelligence - her decisions seem to happen half a second faster than everyone else's, and that split-second advantage often makes the difference at the highest level.

We also can't ignore the evolving nature of women's football when having this conversation. The game has changed dramatically even in the last five years, with increased professionalism and tactical sophistication. When I started covering women's soccer professionally around 2010, the athletic gap between teams was much wider, and standout players could dominate through physical superiority alone. Today, the field has leveled considerably, making technical precision and tactical awareness more important than ever. This is why I believe players like Pernille Harder deserve more recognition - her understanding of space and movement is genuinely revolutionary, even if her goal numbers (around 28 last season) don't always reflect her impact.

Now, I know some readers will disagree with me here, but I've never put much stock in awards voting or popularity contests. The true measure of a player's greatness, in my experience, comes from how they influence their teammates and change their club's or country's trajectory. Look at Wendie Renard at Lyon - she's been the defensive anchor for what feels like forever, contributing to 14 Champions League titles and countless domestic honors. Her leadership transforms Lyon's entire defensive structure, yet she rarely features in "best player" conversations because defenders don't get the glory. Similarly, I'd argue that Aitana Bonmatí's development into one of the world's best midfielders has fundamentally changed how Spain plays, with her 95% pass completion rate in last year's Champions League being just one indicator of her influence.

As women's football continues to grow, with attendance records like that 8,175 sellout in Rizal becoming more common, our criteria for evaluating players must evolve too. We're witnessing an unprecedented depth of talent across multiple leagues, from the NWSL to the WSL and beyond. In my view, the current best player in the world is someone who combines individual excellence with transformative impact - and right now, that player is Alexia Putellas. Even accounting for her injury setbacks, when she's on the field, Barcelona is simply a different team. Her vision, technical mastery, and big-game temperament represent the gold standard in today's game. That said, the beautiful thing about football is that tomorrow could bring a new contender, a fresh talent who redefines our understanding of greatness. For now, though, when I consider all the factors - technical, mental, and transformative - Putellas stands just slightly above her phenomenal peers.