BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Award

The BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award was launched in 2015.

It is decided by a global public vote after a panel of experts – including coaches, players, administrators and journalists – selects a shortlist of five players.

Here are the previous winners:

2015: Azizat Oshoala

Nigeria and Liverpool striker Asisat Oshoala has been named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Oshoala, then 20, was the best player at Canada’s Under-20 World Cup and helped Nigeria’s senior team win the African Women’s Championship.

The shortlist also included Veronica Bocchetti, Nadine Kessler, Kim Little and Marta.

2016: Kim Little

Scotland midfielder Kim Little won in 2016.

Then at Seattle Reign, Little defeated Gael Inganamuit, Amandine Henry, Carli Lloyd, and Becky Sauerbrunn.

2017: Ada Hegerberg

The Lyon and Norway striker won the award in 2017.

Hegerberg then finished at 21 ahead of Marta, Christine Sinclair, Hedvig Lindahl and Melanie Behringer.

2018: Lucy Bronze

The Lyon players have gone back as England defender Lucy Bronze won in 2018.

Then aged 26, she beat Lieke Martens and Sam Kerr to win the award, with Pernille Harder and Dzneifer Marozsan also shortlisted.

2019: Ada Hegerberg

Hegerberg became the first female player to win the award twice, when she won it in 2019.

She collected the trophy just four days after scoring a hat-trick for Lyon as they won the Champions League.

Pernille Harder, Sam Kerr, Saki Kumagai and Lindsay Horan were also nominated that year.

2020: Lucy Bronze

Bronze imitated Hegerberg by winning the award for the second time.

“Winning the title twice is special because it is much more difficult,” she said.

Vivienne Miedema, Megan Rapinoe, Sam Kerr and Julie Ertz were also shortlisted.

2021: Vivienne Miedema

After finishing second the previous year, Netherlands and Arsenal striker Viviane Miedema has triumphed in 2021.

At the time, she was the Netherlands and Women’s Super League’s all-time leading scorer, and broke the record for most goals scored at a single Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020.

Sam Kerr came in second place, while Alexia Putellas came in third. The other two candidates are Ashley Lawrence and Caroline Graham Hansen.

2022: Beth Med

England and Arsenal striker Beth Mead has won the 2022 title after helping the Lionesses to European Championship glory, where she won the Golden Boot and the tournament’s Player of the Tournament award.

Sam Kerr came in second and Alexia Putellas, who won the Ballon d’Or that year, in third.

The other two shortlisted candidates are Alexandra Pope and Wendy Renard.

2023: Mary Earps

England and Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps then won the prestigious award after winning the Golden Glove as the Lionesses reached the World Cup final.

She also helped United finish second in the 2022-23 Women’s Super League.

Aitana Bonmatti came in second place in the voting, while Sam Kerr came in third place, with Fredolina Rulfo and Alexandra Pope nominated.

2024: Barbara Banda

Barbara Banda will win the award in 2024.

The Orlando Pride and Zambia striker topped the public vote, ahead of Aitana Bonmati, who came in second place, and Sophia Smith, who came in third place.

Caroline Graham Hansen and Naomi Girma were also on the shortlist.