GOAL's World-Class Club 2024: USWNT star Alex Morgan loses elite status as Lionesses hero Mary Earps earns inclusion among the best women's footballers

GOAL
Ameé Ruszkai

OpinionWomen's footballFEATURESWSLDivision 1BundesligaLiga FNWSLChampions LeagueSummer OlympicsSelma BachaAitana BonmatiEllie CarpenterKadidiatou DianiMary EarpsNaomi GirmaCaroline Graham HansenAlex GreenwoodSamantha KerrVivianne MiedemaLena OberdorfEwa PajorAlexia PutellasKailen SheridanKhadija ShawSophia SmithKeira WalshLyonFranceBarcelonaSpainAustraliaParis Saint GermainEnglandChileSan Diego Wave FCUSANorwayManchester City WomenDenmarkBayern MunichChelsea FC WomenNetherlandsGermanyPolandVfL WolfsburgCanadaPortland ThornsOna BatlleChristiane EndlerGrace GeyoroPatricia GuijarroPernille HarderMapi LeonIrene ParedesAlexandra Popp

GOAL will release its annual compilation during each summer, highlighting the 25 players who have consistently demonstrated exceptional skills and consistently delivered top-notch performances, solidifying their status as true elites in the sport.

Being world-class is an intangible yet significant distinction, distinguishing excellence from mere competence. However, it is a highly subjective concept. Each football enthusiast holds their own interpretation, with unique standards and criteria, resulting in endless and delightful discussions taking place in stadiums, locker rooms, cafes, bars, pubs, and clubs worldwide.

So, last summer, GOAL decided to get in on the fun by compiling a very exclusive list of the 25 women's players that we felt represented the game's elite, the best of the best, the players that had been producing stellar performances over a sustained period of time.

To prevent the excessive emphasis on attackers, which tends to occur in individual awards and recognition, we established a requirement for at least three players from each position group (goalkeeper, defense, midfield, and attack). However, the maximum limit for each group is set at nine players.

It’s now time to determine who will remain in the prestigious World-Class Club and who will be kindly asked to leave. Who has made it onto this year’s list of 25 exceptional individuals? Read on to find out, and don’t forget to share your thoughts – whether it be approval or outrage – in the comments section.

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