Always find it a little interesting when someone who I’m pretty sure hasn’t met any of the written journalists that cover women’s football (at least) claims to have inside knowledge of how we work and what we think on things 🤷‍♀️😅

🙏🙏

The Guardian Footballer of the Year Jess Carter: ‘I remember not wanting to go out’ The England defender publicly confronted racist abuse at the Euros and ended 2025 a title winner with club and country

Sat down with the Guardian football of the year 2025, Jess Carter, for this wonderful and insightful interview. Brilliant player, brilliant person, remarkable year on and off the pitch. It could have easily been quadruple the length.

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Arsenal v Liverpool: Women’s Super League – live Minute-by-minute report: The WSL season resumes with Arsenal looking to get their title challenge back on track against the bottom club. Join Emillia Hawkins for updates

Thoughts on the game? Questions? Comments?
Feel free to email/message Emillia on today's live blog (email link at the top)
www.theguardian.com/football/liv...

I would have one list of one name forever more and all it would say is: Kim Little 😆

Think it’s just a mix based on photos the picture desk pulled out that were good headshots of each, either from match action or shoot. Not just Bühl though, Mariona, Bonmati, Banda, Little, Mead, Nnadozie, Karchaoui all look like shoots. Probably others too.

Also, the work that goes into producing the list of knowledgeable judges and getting them on board, then pulling it all together, by @mchristenson.bsky.social and Rich Laverty, is STAGGERING. Very proud to work with people so dedicated to high quality coverage of women’s football.

The 100 best female footballers in the world 2025 – Nos 100-11 Chloe Kelly, Barbra Banda and Klara Bühl have made it between places 40 and 11 as we continue our countdown to the year’s best players

And the top 10 is in!
Thoughts? Agree? Disagree?
Remember, see my earlier post about how the list is created, via combined votes of many judges and every judges list will likely look different to the final outcome.

www.theguardian.com/football/ng-...

FYI, important to remember how the judging works www.theguardian.com/football/202.... Each judge (ex-players, coaches, journos) ranks their top 40, then that informs the list.
So my top 40, for example, will potentially look very different to the eventual top 40 as it’s combined.

The 100 best female footballers in the world 2025 – Nos 100-11 Chloe Kelly, Barbra Banda and Klara Bühl have made it between places 40 and 11 as we continue our countdown to the year’s best players

The top 10 is out soon… here’s 100-11

The 100 best female footballers in the world 2025 – Nos 100-11 www.theguardian.com/football/ng-...

Thanks, will pass on. Never trust the briefing notes 🙃

Meet the mother and daughter duo playing on the same team in the FA Cup: ‘It’s surreal’ Football is truly a family affair for Hednesford Town’s Hazzana Parnell and fellow forward Remaya Osbourne

Meet the mother and daughter duo playing on the same team in the FA Cup: ‘It’s surreal’ www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Beth Mead: ‘If we don’t adapt to climate change, football becomes a privilege, not a right‘ The Arsenal and England forward is backing new global campaign because talent and teamwork should decide the game – not the climate

Beth Mead | ‘If we don’t adapt to climate change, football becomes a privilege, not a right‘ www.theguardian.com/football/202...

‘They inspire me’: Alessia Russo on empowering young girls and giving back The Arsenal and England forward has a new foundation designed to boost girls’ participation in sport and promote female health

‘They inspire me’: Alessia Russo on empowering young girls and giving back www.theguardian.com/football/202...

‘It challenges you’: Laila Harbert on playing with boys and her journey from Arsenal to Portland Midfielder is preparing for NWSL semi-final on her latest loan and hopes road will lead her to Gunners’ first team, she tells Suzanne Wrack

‘It challenges you’: Laila Harbert on playing with boys and her journey from Arsenal to Portland www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Millie Bright: ‘If you can make someone’s life better, why would you not?’ The Chelsea defender talks to Suzanne Wrack about Barcelona, the benefits of taking a breather and joining a campaign to tackle winter loneliness

Millie Bright: ‘If you can make someone’s life better, why would you not?’ www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Can’t beat flying back into my beautiful city.

Aston Villa’s Natalia Arroyo: ‘There was probably a little coach inside me when I was playing’ Natalia Arroyo, Aston Villa Women’s manager, tells Suzanne Wrack about her move to coaching, Barcelona and the injuries that ended her career early

Aston Villa’s Natalia Arroyo: ‘There was probably a little coach inside me when I was playing’ www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds: ‘I get to play with world-class players and learn from them’ The left-back tells Suzanne Wrack she is on a roll after signing in the summer from Liverpool and making her England debut against Australia

Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds: ‘I get to play with world-class players and learn from them’ www.theguardian.com/football/202...

‘Never lose hope’: how a new Afghanistan women’s team helps refugees cope with trauma Afghan Women United is comprised of players forced to flee their homeland and is another step in beating barriers

It was very hard not to feel hugely emotional watching Afghan Women United compete in the FIFA Unites: Women’s Series during the international break:

‘Never lose hope’: how a new Afghanistan women’s team helps refugees cope with trauma www.theguardian.com/football/202...

The lads hit it out the park.

‘I’m here to learn’: Kendall intent on seizing surprise Lionesses chance After eye-catching showings for Aston Villa, piano-playing psychology student is ready to step up for England duty

‘I’m here to learn’: Kendall intent on seizing surprise Lionesses chance www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Afghanistan women’s refugee players refused visas for first tournament in UAE Afghanistan players travelled to airports to take part in UAE tournament but were told not to board flights and many are said to have felt retraumatised by the experience

Afghanistan women’s refugee players refused visas for first tournament in UAE www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Wiegman tunes out Le Tissier fan noise as England enter low-stakes window www.theguardian.com/football/202...

If you’ve ordered a print from me they’ve all just been dropped at the post office on 48 hour tracked delivery. Donation of profits made to Football Beyond Borders.

Reaction when I stood up for trans women made me realise I had to do more Manchester City and Netherlands player explains why she has become an LGBT Foundation patron and the importance of keeping football free of hate

Kerstin Casparij | Reaction when I stood up for trans women made me realise I had to do more www.theguardian.com/football/202...

‘Refereeing is addictive’: Emily Heaslip on going from footballer to official and dealing with abuse The Women’s Super League referee didn’t think a career behind the whistle was for her. She tells Suzanne Wrack why she changed her mind, to mark World Mental Health Day

Went for a walk and talk with referee Emily Heaslip and 🐶 Bonnie ahead of World Mental Health Day (today) to talk about the mental strength required to be a referee, why the do it and how they handle abuse.

www.theguardian.com/football/202...

‘You’re like: who am I?’ Katie Chapman on the challenges and danger of football retirement Former England international is taking part in a legends match that will raise money for ex-Chelsea players in need of support

‘You’re like: who am I?’ Katie Chapman on the challenges and danger of football retirement www.theguardian.com/football/202...

This, though, is my favourite. From a nearby park.