This year's FIFA Women’s World Cup has been historic, eye-opening and incredible. Sprinkled with outstanding moments throughout the tournament. Linda Caicedo’s goal against Germany, Sam Kerr’s only goal of the tournament against England, Alessia Russo’s winner to send England to their first World Cup final or Olga Carmona’s winning goal. The common theme between these players? They all play in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Here are your top World Cup players to watch in the UWCL this season.
Aitana Bonmati (FC Barcelona)
Bonmati finished her season winning Liga F, UWCL and the World Cup. To round off her remarkable numbers throughout the year, Bonmati won the Golden Ball for best player of the World Cup. She finished her domestic season with 14 goals and 18 assists across UWCL and Liga F - she’s a midfielder.
Olga Carmona (Real Madrid)
Spain’s captain who scored the goal that made her country roar. The energetic fullback scored Spain’s semi-final winner over Sweden and Spain’s World Cup winner over England, scoring like she’s a world-renowned winger. This is exactly what she brings to Real Madrid in Liga F and UWCL. Her threat in attack and ability to recover defensively makes her one of the most exciting talents to watch.
Sam Kerr (Chelsea)
Though the Chelsea striker picked up an injury on the eve of the World Cup, her only goal of the tournament came against England in the semi-final. An epic Sam Kerr moment. We’ve seen her do it before in the UWCL, but after tasting defeat in the 2021 UWCL final, Kerr only has that European trophy on her mind. A player who is meant to shine in big moments.
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
Scoring the goal of the tournament, Linda Caicedo helped her team beat footballing giants, Germany, in the group stages by producing a moment of individual brilliance. She shook away two German defenders and curled the ball into the far post in exquisite manner, she is only 18 years old.
Salma Paralluelo (FC Barcelona)
The 19-year-old has made a clean sweep of World Cups currently holding the U17, U20 and senior titles. This has been her first full professional football season finishing with 11 goals and 4 assists for Barcelona in the league. Before joining Barcelona, she had to make the decision to pursue athletics or football, luckily, she chose football.
Alessia Russo (Arsenal)
England’s starting striker who gave her country the pass to the World Cup final and is set to make her UWCL debut this season. A stoppage time winner against Arsenal in the WSL with Manchester United or a backheel nutmeg goal in the Euros, Russo is made to shine in the UWCL.
Lauren James (Chelsea)
You just needed to watch one World Cup match to know who Lauren James is. There’s no accurate way of describing James with simple words. The way she moves her body to escape the tightest of spaces, how the ball sticks to her feet and her ability to hit the ball with such power so casually. Her UWCL legacy is just beginning.
Ella Toone (Manchester United)
One of the World Cup’s most satisfying goals to watch, through the laces and into the top side netting past the keeper’s fingertips. Ella Toone has been at the core of England and Manchester United’s attack with her aggressive attacking finesse, elite finishing and intelligence to pick out defining passes. Toone will no doubt be one of United’s key components for their UWCL success.
Caitlin Foord (Arsenal)
Shining at home during the World Cup for the Matildas, Foord just continued what we saw from her through the WSL and UWCL season. Off the back of a spectacular World Cup, Foord, alongside Alessia Russo, will definitely be a duo to watch in the UWCL.