ESPN released its list of the top 50 players in women’s soccer Monday, with Barcelona star Alexia Putellas topping the annual ranking.
Twenty-six soccer minds, including USWNT manager Vlatko Andonovski and former USWNT captain Julie Foudy, were asked to weigh in on the best performances of the 2021-2022 season.
Putellas’ top spot comes as no surprise, with the 28-year-old also taking home this year’s Ballon d’Or and Best FIFA Women’s Player honors. Notching 18 goals in league competition and 11 in the Champions League, Putellas helped her club to a near-perfect season before Barça fell to Lyon in the Champions League final.
Barcelona, with Putellas’ help, changed the face of women’s soccer this year, twice breaking attendance records for the sport at Camp Nou.
50 of the best players in the game right now ⚽️🌍
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 27, 2022
ESPN has ranked the best women's players in world football: https://t.co/pxb2EdB5ZF pic.twitter.com/kz9rCxSPf9
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr slots in behind Putellas at No. 2 on the list in recognition of her Golden-Boot winning performance in the Women’s Super League. Rounding out the top of the rankings at No. 3 is Arsenal forward Vivianne Miedema, who became the first player to be involved in 100 goals in the WSL.
Kerr and Miedema also finished in second and third last year, but they came behind Sam Mewis. The USWNT and Kansas City Current midfielder, who has been dealing with a nagging knee injury, sits at No. 37 this season.
The first USWNT player to appear on the 2022 list is Catarina Macario, who is ranked at No. 6 following a sensational campaign with Lyon. The NWSL is not represented on the list until No. 19, with OL Reign’s Rose Lavelle sneaking into the top 20 players.
Sam Mewis, Alex Morgan, Trinity Rodman, Lindsey Horan and Debinha are the other NWSL athletes included on the list.