By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup starting in Australia and New Zealand today, PROMPT NEWS lists the top stars that are expected to light up the competition.
ASISAT OSHOALA (NIGERIA)
Nigeria’s biggest star, the Barcelona Femeni forward will shoulder goal scoring responsibility for the nine-time African champions in Australia and New Zealand.
Nicknamed “Agba Baller” , which means in her local palance, “Legendary Footballer” , Oshoala will head into the competition in confident mood having won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona.
The 28-year-old is regarded as one of the best footballers in the world.
ALEXIA PUTELLAS (SPAIN)
The 29-year-old is the captain of Spanish women’s national team. Putellas is widely regarded as the best contemporary female footballer in the world.
She holds the record for most appearances for Spain with 101 caps.
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SAM KERR (AUSTRALIA)
The poster girl of co-host nation, Australia, Sam Kerr will captain the Matildas in the competition. The Chelsea star is widely considered as one of the best forwards of all time in women’s soccer.
The 29-year-old has scored 63 goals in 120 appearances for her country.
ALEX MORGAN (USA)
Alex Morgan won the FIFA Women’s World Cup with United States of America twice in 2015 and 2019. She is one of the most fearsome forwards in the game.
The San Diego Wave forward has an enviable scoring record for the US women’s national team.
The 34-year-old has netted 121 times in 207 outings for her country.
ALEXANDRA POPP (GERMANY)
The VFL Wolfsburg player is her country’s biggest star. Much will be expected from the forward in Australia and New Zealand.
The Olympic gold medalist will be keen to help her country win the competition in what could be her last World Cup appearance.
WENDIE RENARD (FRANCE)
The 32-year-old centre-back is one of the most decorated players in modern women’s football.
She has won a record 14 French league titles and eight European Cups
She will be desperate to help her country win a first World title after coming close on home soil four years ago.
KEIRA WALSH (ENGLAND)
The 26-year-old’s versatility will be crucial for England at the World Cup. Walsh can operate as a playmaker and defensive midfielder.
The Barcelona star was part of the England team that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, and was named player of the match in the final.
ADA HEGERBERB (NORWAY)
Ada Hegerberg will be out to underline her pedigree as one of the best strikers in women’s game at this edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The forward was the first-ever recipient of the of the Ballon d’Or Feminine.
She holds the record for most goals in a UEFA Champions League season (15) and is currently the all-time highest goal scorer in UEFA Women’s Champions League (59).
MARTA (BRAZIL)
One of the most popular footballers in the women’s game. At 37, this is certainly going be Marta Vieira da Silva final appearance at the World Cup.
The forward is often regarded as the greatest female footballer of all time.
Marta has been named FIFA World Player of the Year six times.
PERNILLE HARDER (DENMARK)
The midfielder is considered one of the best footballers in the world.
In September 2020, she became the world’s most expensive female footballer following her transfer from VFL Wolfsburg to Chelsea.
