Jess Carter has spent her life grappling with when to hold back and when to speak up; wrestling with being naturally herself, embodying the characteristics her parents instilled in her of being open, honest, vocal and confident, and subduing herself because, while society values those traits, in a black woman they can be viewed negatively. Racist stereotypes of black women as aggressive, confrontational,
We kick things off with this rather typical goal, which admittedly was not anything special. Aleksandar Pavlović passed to Leon Goretzka, who then threaded it to Serge Gnabry, who made no mistake from close range. A goal that really didn't mean too much in the grand scheme of things, but this writer included it because of the Bayern Munich connection.
"I am very happy and proud to have been part of this team for so long. The cohesion and the special atmosphere at Bayern are unique - that's exactly what makes this club so special for me. The responsibility as captain has allowed me to grow both personally and athletically over the past few years," she said. "As a team, we are very ambitious and want to remain at the top in Germany. In the Champions League, we want to take the next step and realize our full potential together."
Pernille Harder continues to set the benchmark in Danish football by being named the country's Player of the Year for a record ninth time in 2025. The forward received her award on Sunday ahead of FC Bayern Women's Bundesliga game against Hamburg at the FC Bayern Campus. The 33-year-old helped Bayern to a first-ever domestic double in 2024/25 and also won the Supercup
In our discussions, she impressed us and the committees with her expertise, as well as her combination of specialist knowledge, leadership strength and strategic thinking, said Oliver Mintzlaff, chair of RB Leipzig's supervisory board, in a club statement.
Yet she is only 19 years old and currently playing her third professional season. Despite her great success, anyone who talks to her hears no trace of arrogance. "I still have a lot to learn," she says with a sincerity that leaves no room for complacency. There is no doubt in her voice, but rather the knowledge that the path she is on is far from over.
Emile Heskey was about 14 years old when he was chased from Leicester City's old Filbert Street stadium all the way into town by a man shouting racist abuse. He was a Leicester fan who had no idea he was abusing a player who would go on to help his club win promotion to the Premier League and two League Cups before a move to Liverpool for what, at the time, was the club's record transfer fee.
A lot of hard work, but we got there, it's fantastic news for us to be celebrating. "When we launched the strategy back in 2021... we had less than 10,000 players. "We really had to look strategically at how we wanted to achieve this, what was such an ambitious target at the time, and really focusing on what resource our clubs, our leagues needed, and how we can create national programmes that inspire girls and women of all ages from all different backgrounds to take up football.
When the Olympique Lyonnais women's team officially became OL Lyonnes on 19 May, they came with a new mantra: New story, same legend. The eight-time European champions, now owned by Michele Kang and part of Kynisca a multi-club ownership group dedicated to women's sports that also already includes the Washington Spirit are a new project with the aim of developing as a women's club with our own model.
"She celebrated as if she had won the Champions League," said England boss Sarina Wiegman with a smile. And for Lucia Kendall, it wasn't far off. Wiegman was reflecting on the moment the Aston Villa midfielder sprinted off into the corner after scoring her first Lionesses goal - six minutes into their 2-0 win over Ghana at St Mary's Stadium. "They are still doing some treatment on the grass!" she added with a joke, referring to Kendall's immaculate knee slide.
Littlejohn was sent off in Crystal Palace's League Cup win over Leicester City on Sunday after an altercation with Hannah Cain. The 35-year-old appeared to grab Cain by the neck and the players fell to the ground in a second-half flashpoint. The Football Association has said it's standard three-match ban for violent conduct was "clearly insufficient" and it can seek an extended punishment if a case is "truly exceptional".
The AFC Women's Asian Cup heads to Australia next year, as Australia get set to host their second major women's football competition in three years after the 2023 World Cup. From March 1-21 2026, 12 nations will take part in the competition, with a total of 27 matches taking place across Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast. With nine titles under their belt, reigning champions China are the most successful team in the competition.
The Australia international right-back opened the scoring against Chelsea's biggest European foe, but squandered what should have been the match-winner at Stamford Bridge. Though she missed the golden opportunity to seal victory, her contribution to the club since joining in July has elevated the side to new heights, something rather incredible given the world-class team she stepped into.
The Portuguese side started and finished strongly, with City goalkeeper Lee Gibson busy in the opening minutes. Having been under the cosh for 25 minutes, the SWPL leaders began to find some rhythm and stunned their hosts by taking the lead four minutes before the break. A deep free-kick from Lisa Evans was helped on by Kimberley Smit, with Kozlova ghosting in to finish from close range.
FC Barcelona have emerged as one of the main contenders at the 2025 Globe Soccer Awards, which will hold their sixteenth edition on 28 December at the Atlantis The Royal in Dubai. The Catalan giants appear among the favourites in almost every major category, both in the men's and women's sections. In the most prestigious category, Best Player, Barcelona are represented by Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. They will compete with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Harry Kane.
The 41-year-old made 313 appearances for Arsenal between 2002 and 2018, in addition to spells at Birmingham City and in the United States at the Boston Breakers. Scott also represented England 140 times and played five times for Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics. Following her retirement from football, Scott began a full-time media career, having regularly appeared as a pundit during her playing career. Scott has been the presenter of Football Focus since 2021.
Playing against Ascot United in November 2024, 30-year-old Cheatley controlled a bobbling pass into the box, flicked the ball up and acrobatically finished with her back to goal. The goal puts Cheatley, who plays for the Bees in the fifth tier of the English women's pyramid, in exulted company alongside a great in Marta and Lizbeth Ovalle, the most expensive player in the history of the women's game.
Switzerland were the toast of the continent this summer as hosts of the Women's European Championship. The national team reached the quarter-finals for the first time and a total of 623,088 were in attendance at the 31 matches, a tournament record. The hope within Switzerland was for a boost at club level similar to what England experienced three years previously. Those heights have not been reached, but there has been a definite bump.
"To be honest, I don't know. Maybe this one - it's from the Euros," she says, stroking her skin. "It says HOME, and the H is made up of two Roman I's, II - like the number two. It stands for my second Euros title." A symbol of home, of the connection between origin and success. "It reminds me of where I come from and what's possible if you never stop believing."
GK Barry, a podcast host, TikTok influencer and the youngest panellist on ITV's Loose Women, is a bona fide UK queer icon these days, and she's also one half of a couple that includes talented footballer Ella Rutherford. Last year, she joined other famous faces in the Australian jungle for I'm A Celebrity, which means she had to leave her girlfriend Ella behind. Ella Rutherford is a 25-year-old footballer who plays for Ipswich Town.
Union Berlin are no ordinary promoted side. The team, who have worked their way up from the Regionalliga to the Bundesliga in just two short years, appear too determined, too united and too well organised. What takes years elsewhere is the result of a clear plan in the Köpenick region of Berlin and a club that has found its own pace.
"Rosi's transition into the professional game is monumental for her, but what we have achieved together is truly remarkable. "Providing her with the opportunity to enter the men's game was never in question and she has been outstanding in her time here. "As a coach and as a person, she is exceptional."
"We are thrilled to welcome the Kansas City Current and San Diego Wave FC to our exhilarating 7v7 tournament, where they will compete against top clubs from across the Americas," Sarah Cummins, CEO of W7F, said in a news release. "This high-stakes competition showcases the talent and ambition fueling the women's game today. "We know the fans will come out and cheer on these world-class teams as they compete for the title and a significant prize, reflecting our ongoing commitment to creating opportunities that reward excellence and elevate women's football on the global stage."
