Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí capped off a career-best year by being named women’s footballer of the year at The Best FIFA Awards for 2023.

The 25-year-old was one of three players on the shortlist for the award alongside Spain teammate Jenni Hermoso and Real Madrid forward Linda Caicedo, who was runner-up for the award.

In her speech, Bonmatí said that she was “proud” to be part of a generation of women that are “changing the game and the world.” Both Bonmatí and Hermoso helped Spain to its first Women’s World Cup last August. Since then, the Spanish national team and federation has undergone major changes after then-Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed Hermoso on the lips.

Rubiales eventually resigned while women’s team coach Jorge Vilda left his post amidst the fallout.

“A couple of weeks ago I was nostalgic for an exceptional and unique year, but starting out this year collecting this award I feel very proud,” Bonmatí said. “I owe this to Barça, to the national team, I owe it to the great season that we’ve played. I’d like to thank my teammates, without all of you I wouldn’t be here. I’d also like to say I am proud to be part of a powerful generation of women who are changing the game and the world.”

Bonmatí also won the Golden Ball award at the World Cup, the Ballon d’Or and was named UEFA Women’s player of the year and Champions League player of the season for her 2022-23 campaign.

Brazilian star Marta also received a lifetime achievement award. During her speech, she urged the audience to “search every day” for ways to improve equality.

“Try to make the world better for everyone. That’s my message to everyone, to every person who has the power [to make changes],” Marta added, before motioning to Hermoso as an example. “The next generations will thank you for that.”

While competing at the 2026 Australian Open this week, US tennis star Coco Gauff is giving back to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with the world No. 3 WTA player announcing a $150,000 donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to fund HBCU tennis scholarships on Tuesday.

"Education has the power to change lives, and I hope this gift will help students achieve their dreams," said Gauff in a Tuesday statement.

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Even more, this week's donation marks the two-time Grand Slam champion's second UNCF contribution in as many years, with her $100,000 pledge in 2025 bringing Gauff's total gift to $250,000.

"I feel like HBCU tennis a lot of times doesn't get the funding that they need," Gauff said after advancing to Thursday night's Australian Open third round. "I would always try to uplift marginalized communities and support where I can."

One of the youngest major donors in organization's 80-year history, the 21-year-old star's Coco Gauff Scholarship Program has already sponsored multiple HBCU tennis athletes.

"My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs," Gauff wrote in a 2025 press release. "As a young Black athlete, I understand how impactful it is to see people who look like me thriving in both sports and education…. My hope is that this scholarship gives more young Black players the confidence to chase their dreams, knowing they have a strong community behind them and a bright future ahead."

PWHL players made their voices heard this week, as The Athletic published the results of the third-year league's first-ever anonymous player poll on Wednesday, surveying athletes on everything from the best trash-talkers to which nation's team will win Olympic gold at next month's 2026 Winter Games.

Leading the poll's individual accolades is 34-year-old Team Canada and Montréal Victoire captain Marie-Philip Poulin, dubbed the PWHL's best player by 80% of respondents.

Poulin's Team USA counterpart, Seattle Torrent forward Hilary Knight, snagged second as each standout prepares for a fifth career Olympic run.

As for who will win gold in Italy, all but one player predicted a Canada vs. USA Olympic Final, with a 50/50 split on the eventual victor.

Athletes also answered overarching questions about the growing league in the player poll, with Detroit earning the most nods as a PWHL expansion city — though Denver and Chicago also scored double-digit votes.

As for the future face of the league, current New York Sirens forward and 2024 PWHL No. 1 draftee Sarah Fillier narrowly edged out current University of Wisconsin senior and Team USA Olympic defender Caroline Harvey in the players' poll.

Toronto Sceptres forward Emma Maltais beat out Montréal's Abby Roque by one vote for the title of top PWHL trash-talker, though most players tapped her for quantity over quality — an assessment Maltais herself agrees with.

"I'm not trash-talking," clarified the 26-year-old Canadian. "I'm just yapping."

WNBA star Angel Reese is lighting up the silver screen, with the Chicago Sky forward racking up multiple film and TV credits during the league's offseason.

On Tuesday, Netflix revealed that Reese will play a character called "Trainer Barbie" in the second season of the streamer's hit show, The Hunting Wives.

Already a fan of the series, Reese's told Hunting Wives creator Rebecca Cutter to "just let me know if you need me for season 2" on X last summer — a conversation that helped spark the basketball star's casting.

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Tuesday's news follows last week's announcement that Reese and Las Vegas Aces star center A'ja Wilson will each voice a role in the upcoming animated film GOAT, produced by the NBA's Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry.

When the film hits theaters on February 13th, fans will see Reese as Propp, a polar bear, while Wilson plays a reptile called Kouyate.

Reese first opened her acting portfolio by playing herself in a cameo in the October 2025 Netflix film A House of Dynamite, with Hunting Wives marking the 23-year-old's first foray into a scripted series.

The eight-episode second season of the Netflix show is currently in production, though a premiere date is still unknown.

USWNT manager Emma Hayes is eager to see star forward Trinity Rodman back on the pitch, as the 23-year-old forward returned to the national team roster for the first time since April this week.

"This week, I said we've missed you in many ways, most of all because she just brings a little bit of color," Hayes said on ESPN's Futbol W on Wednesday. "She's got a great personality and she injects that into the environment."

"I've given her some responsibility this week and I think it's good for her," Hayes continued. "And she wants that, she's ready to take the next steps in her career."

A lingering back injury compounded by a late-season MCL sprain saw Rodman's USWNT appearances severely limited in 2025.

The NWSL free agent also made headlines when this month's non-FIFA window US training camp roster dropped, with Rodman listed as "unattached" as she negotiates a new contract with the Washington Spirit.

"I think the thing for her this year is she's got to take responsibility, not just on the field but off the field," Hayes said of Rodman's recovery. "It's all about the other 22 hours, and what you do with that. If she can nail that, then I expect her to continue to thrive."

How to watch Rodman with the USWNT this week

The world No. 2 USWNT will take on No. 46 Paraguay in the team's first 2026 friendly on Saturday.

The clash will kick off live at 5:30 PM ET on TNT.