Introduction:”Top 8 Women Football Players”
Top 8 Women Football Playersm,In July 2022, as Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses celebrated becoming champions of Europe, Germany’s Lena Oberdorf was crowned the inaugural Young Player of the Tournament.
Three years later, a new wave of young talent from across 16 nations will arrive in Switzerland, ready to make their mark at this summer’s Women’s Euros.
BBC Sport has selected seven standout players under the age of 23 to watch closely:
Aggie Beever-Jones (England)
Top 8 Women Football Players,
- Age: 21
- Position: Forward
- Club: Chelsea
Aggie Beever-Jones burst onto the scene in England’s Women’s Nations League group stage, where she stepped up in the absence of Alessia Russo and Ella Toone. She grabbed the spotlight with a remarkable 33-minute hat-trick against Portugal.
Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley expects her to make a big impact at Euro 2025, highlighting her versatility and killer instinct in front of goal.
“She’s constantly on the move, sharp in her positioning, and rarely caught offside—a true natural goalscorer,” Bardsley said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Beever-Jones has been part of Chelsea since she was nine and ended last season as the club’s top scorer in the WSL with nine goals. She also scored the decisive goal in their FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool.
Carrie Jones (Wales)
Top 8 Women Football Players,
- Age: 21
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: IFK Norrkoping
Wales are set to compete in their first major women’s tournament, and Carrie Jones is already a key figure in the squad despite her young age.
Jones made her Wales debut at just 15, years before she was eligible to play senior club football. After spending four seasons in the WSL with Manchester United, Leicester City, and Bristol City, she moved to Swedish side IFK Norrkoping in 2024.
A versatile attacker, she often plays on the left wing for Wales but can also feature in central midfield or as a striker.
Former Wales star Gwennan Harries predicted she would become “one of Wales’ best players for the next 10-20 years,” praising her composure, two-footed skill, and outstanding work ethic.
Salma Paralluelo (Spain)
Top 8 Women Football Players,
- Age: 21
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Barcelona
Salma Paralluelo already has a decorated career at just 21. She was a key part of Spain’s 2023 World Cup-winning squad, scoring in both the quarter-final and semi-final, and was named the tournament’s Young Player of the Year. She is the only player to win World Cups at U-17, U-20, and senior levels.
Paralluelo has also won two UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona and helped Spain secure the 2024 Nations League. She finished third in the Ballon d’Or rankings for two consecutive seasons and was the youngest player in The Guardian’s top 20 female footballers in 2024.
A former track athlete, Paralluelo is a physically powerful winger known for her aggressive runs and lethal left foot. After taking a short break following the Olympics to recover from fatigue and a knee issue, she is aiming to return to top form in Euro 2025.
Wieke Kaptein (Netherlands)
Top 8 Women Football Players,
- Age: 19
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Chelsea
Wieke Kaptein has quickly become one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders. After winning domestic titles with FC Twente, she broke into Chelsea’s starting lineup during the 2024-25 season, earning a place in the Blues’ Champions League squad.
BBC Sport called her one of the “unsung heroes” of Chelsea’s unbeaten WSL season, and head coach Sonia Bompastor praised her high work rate and defensive contributions.
Team-mate Kadeisha Buchanan added: “She’s unique, calm, and composed on the ball—a fun, young talent.”
Internationally, Kaptein has already earned 20 caps and made history as the youngest Dutch player to appear in a Women’s World Cup.
Franziska Kett (Germany)
Top 8 Women Football Players,
- Age: 20
- Position: Defender
- Club: Bayern Munich
Franziska Kett is one of Germany’s most exciting young defenders and is set to feature in her first major tournament. National coach Christian Wuck has long tracked her progress and describes her as a “dynamic defender” known for her explosive style of play.
Kett made her debut for Bayern Munich shortly before her 18th birthday and has since gained valuable experience in both the Frauen-Bundesliga and the Women’s Champions League. She also helped Germany’s U-19 team reach the European Championship final in 2023.
Wuck said: “We’ve followed Franziska closely. She brings great energy and we’re confident she can contribute to the national team.”
Sydney Schertenleib (Switzerland)
Top 8 Women Football Players,
- Age: 18
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Barcelona
Sydney Schertenleib is a fast-rising star who has quickly made her mark at Barcelona since transferring from Grasshopper Zurich in 2024.
Despite Barcelona’s world-class roster, the young midfielder has become a regular starter in the league and has also featured in the Champions League knockout stages.
Although she typically plays on the left side of midfield for Barcelona, Swiss national team coach Pia Sundhage has deployed her as a right-sided striker, a role in which she’s already scored two international goals in her first ten appearances.
With Euro 2025 being her debut senior tournament—and playing on home soil—Schertenleib is well-positioned for a breakthrough.
Alice Sombath (France)
Top 8 Women Football Players,
- Age: 21
- Position: Defender
- Club: Lyon
With veteran defender Wendie Renard left out of France’s Euro 2025 squad, Alice Sombath has a golden opportunity to establish herself.
Born in France to Thai parents, Sombath joined Lyon from Paris Saint-Germain at 16 and made her senior debut alongside Renard the following year. Lyon’s former manager Joe Montemurro believes she has all the tools to become “a top-class defender.”
Comfortable at both centre-back and right-back, Sombath made her international debut in November and was trusted to partner new France captain Griedge Mbock in a dominant win over Switzerland.
She also started ahead of Renard in Lyon’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal, proving her growing importance at both club and national levels.